Canadian Teams Morning Review – Jan. 1: Jets, Oilers & Flames
A Mixed Night North of the Border: Control, Cracks, and Quiet Warnings
From Winnipeg to Edmonton to Calgary, it was a night that captured the uneven rhythm of Canadian hockey right now. Some teams are finding traction through structure and patience. Others are discovering that form, once lost, is harder to reclaim than expected. And a few are quietly reminding us that belief, when paired with execution, can still move the needle.
What tied the night together wasn’t the scores themselves, but how those scores came to be. Goaltending mattered. Special teams mattered. Momentum—earned or squandered—mattered. For Canadian clubs, it was a reminder that December’s habits tend to follow you into January, for better or worse.
Winnipeg Jets: Another Loss, Another Warning Sign
The Jets’ 2–1 loss in Detroit wasn’t a collapse, but it was another step deeper into an uncomfortable pattern. Seven straight games without a win now reads less like a blip and more like a problem that needs to be confronted.
Connor Hellebuyck wasn’t the issue. He rarely is. The game tilted on Detroit’s ability to strike early and force Winnipeg into chase mode—a position the Jets have not handled well during this skid. Dylan Larkin’s power-play goal through traffic set the tone, and Mason Appleton’s rebound sequence later in the first period put Winnipeg behind the game almost before it had settled.
Logan Stanley’s third-period goal gave the Jets life, but not momentum. What stood out was how little sustained pressure followed. This was a team playing carefully rather than confidently, and there’s a difference. Winnipeg still defends well enough to stay close, but the margin for error keeps shrinking. At some point, structure alone won’t be enough.
Edmonton Oilers: Still Dangerous, But Not Immune
A 6–2 loss to Boston doesn’t undo what’s been a solid December for the Oilers, but it does underline a truth: even elite teams can be knocked off their rhythm when details slip.
David Pastrnak was the defining player, not just because of his two goals and an assist, but because Boston needed him to be exactly that. His night snapped the Bruins’ losing streak and reminded Edmonton how thin the line can be between controlling a game and chasing it.
Connor McDavid extended his remarkable point streak, and Zach Hyman continued his own productive run, but this was a game Edmonton never quite grabbed. Defensive coverage wavered, and Jeremy Swayman’s steadiness allowed Boston to build confidence as the night wore on. The Oilers remain dangerous—undeniably so—but this was a reminder that pace without polish can still get punished.
Calgary Flames: Quiet Confidence at Home
While others searched for footing, the Flames kept doing what’s been working. Their 5–1 win over Philadelphia was less about flash and more about control.
Mikael Backlund’s goal may not headline many reels, but it reflected the night perfectly: disciplined, timely, and earned. The real hinge moment came on the two-person advantage late in the second period, when Connor Zary’s setup allowed Rasmus Andersson to extend the lead. From there, the game tilted decisively.
Dustin Wolf continued to look comfortable in his crease, and that matters more than the win itself. Calgary’s home record tells the story of a team that understands its identity. They’re not overwhelming opponents—they’re wearing them down. It’s not loud hockey, but it’s effective, and right now, it’s moving them forward.
What the Night Told Us About Canadian Teams
If there was a lesson in this slate, it’s that Canadian teams are being separated less by talent than by execution. Calgary is leaning into structure and belief. Edmonton is still elite, but learning that dominance must be renewed nightly. Winnipeg is at a crossroads where answers are needed soon.
January doesn’t forgive lingering questions. It only amplifies them. Some teams look ready for that reality. Others are still searching for clarity.