December is upon us. Just like last week, there was a change at the top of the divisional standings as Florida rebounded from a bad week. Here is our weekly look at the Atlantic Division – The Atlantic Watch for the week that just ended December 1, 2024.
Atlantic Division Watch – Top Four Teams
Florida Panthers – As horrible a week that the Panthers had last week, it was the opposite this week. They went 3-1 including a back to back home and home against Carolina. They beat the Hurricanes by a combined score of 12-3. Sam Reinhart scored his fourth short handed goal of the season and led the way for Florida this week.
Toronto Maple Leafs – The Leafs found out how competitive the Atlantic division really is this week. They went 2-1 and still dropped a spot in the standings. Didn’t help that their one loss last week was against the team that catapulted over them in the standings. Toronto did get their captain Auston Matthews back after he missed 9 games.
Tampa Bay Lightning – The Lightning went 2-2 last week. Sure, it’s an average week but it allowed Tampa to jump from 5th place to 3r place in the division. If the adage that you’re only as good as your last game has any merit, the Lightning could be in for a tough week. Especially after the embarrassing home loss to Toronto last night.
Boston Bruins – The magic of interim coach Joe Sacco seems to have dissipated. The Bruins went 1-2 last week and remained in 4th place in the division. Boston is at the bottom of the league in goals per game. Until or unless this is fixed, the B’s will struggle to secure a playoff spot.
Atlantic Watch – Bottom Four Teams
Buffalo Sabres – Tough week for Buffalo. They went 0-2-1. They had a gutty performance against the Wild in a 1-0 loss but those are the types of games a playoff team wins. Their power play is still near the bottom of the league and is hurting the team to win those one goal games.
Detroit Red Wings – Detroit won 2 and lost 1 game last week. They almost won three of three but blew a two goal lead in the third period against New Jersey. Their offense had a decent week climbing up another couple notches in goals per game. That still only makes them the 25th best of the league’s 32 teams. The Derek LaLonde watch that was all but official seems to be put on hold for now.
Ottawa Senators – The Senators split their two games this week. Tim Stutzle is among their best players and is having a good season so far. I said last week, this team on paper looks good enough to be a playoff contender but they need to string some wins together. No time like the present to begin doing this.
Montreal Canadiens – Montreal had a good week (for them). They went 1-1-1. Two impressive overtime games against Utah and Columbus. They lost to Utah and beat the Blue Jackets. Then they ended this week with an impressive performance in a 4-3 loss to the Rangers. Maybe this is the start of something good for the Canadiens.
Look Ahead to Next Week
Florida Panthers: Three games this week with the first two on the road. Pittsburgh then Philadelphia before they come home to face the San Jose Sharks.
Toronto Maple Leafs: A four game week is on the schedule. First three at home against Chicago, Nashville and Washington. Then they finish on the road against the Penguins in Pittsburgh.
Tampa Bay Lightning: Perhaps the easiest week of the entire season for the Bolts. One home game against the San Jose Sharks.
Boston Bruins: Four games this week for this struggling team. First two at home against Montreal and Detroit. Then on the road to Chicago before returning home to face Philadelphia.
Buffalo Sabres: Three games at home should be good despite tough opponents. Colorado, Winnipeg and Utah are among the leading teams in the Western Conference,
Detroit Red Wings: Four game week. First at home against Vancouver. Then two on the road in Boston then Ottawa. At the end of the week, it’s back home to face Colorado.
Ottawa Senators: Three games this week. First one on the road at Anaheim. Then back home to face Detroit and Nashville.
Montreal Canadiens: Could be a make or break week. Four games. First on the road in Boston then the last three games at home. They host the Islanders, then Nashville and Washington.
