NHL scores 2017: Claude Julien’s tenure in Montreal starts with a whimper

Well, first games with new head coaches can’t all be winners. The most anticipated game of the week came and went on Saturday without much fanfare, as Claude Julien coached his first game of the season behind the bench of the Canadiens.

Winnipeg stole Montreal’s thunder, as it were, in a 3-1 victory over the Canadiens, jolted by a two-goal third period to spoil the occasion. It was a pretty sleepy affair from Montreal, who had just 20 shots to their name in the loss.

A potential culprit for the Canadiens’ sluggish Saturday? Montreal was playing their first game off a bye week, along with two other teams — the Blackhawks and Predators. All three teams lost their first game off the bye week, bringing the bye week record to 0-8-1 in February. The addition of the week off is a new one to the NHL, and considering what it has done to teams so far, this might be the only year it exists.

Still, it’s a loss the Canadiens couldn’t afford to take. The Atlantic Division lead they created at the start of the year has dwindled to just two points, as their loss combined with the Senators’ win has Ottawa sitting within a one-game striking distance. Yes, just like we all predicted.

Montreal will have to shake off the sloppy loss and get back on the horse for their next game on Tuesday. With Julien at the helm, the Canadiens have got themselves in a pretty great position to win. Now, they just have to take it.

Sabres 3, Blues 2
Red Wings 3, Capitals 2 (SO)
Jets 3, Canadiens 1
Oilers 3, Blackhawks 1
Devils 3, Islanders 2
Senators 6, Maple Leafs 3
Sharks 4, Coyotes 1
Stars 4, Lightning 3 (OT)
Wild 5, Predators 2
Panthers 3, Kings 2
Canucks 2, Flames 1 (OT)

1. The Atlantic is really, really wonky

If you had the Senators in second, the Sabres contending just one point out of a wild card spot, and the Lightning not even in the playoff conversation, then congratulations to you. With the Senators and Sabres both winning, plus the Lightning losing in an overtime heartbreaker, the Atlantic continues to defy logic. Ottawa especially, for besting wild card contender Toronto 6-3 on Saturday and for closing the gap on the Canadiens.

No one’s really out of it right now in the Eastern Conference, but that the Sabres, Senators, and Maple Leafs are pushing big names out of contention is quite incredible.

2. Edmonton’s continuing to cruise

Speaking of surprise contenders, the Oilers are on a three-game win streak and currently are second place in the Pacific Division. The top three teams in the Pacific have an almost double-digit lead over their division contenders, making the Oilers rise even more incredible. Connor McDavid, of course, had a goal in the Oilers 3-1 win over the Blackhawks, and Edmonton benefited from the Blackhawks coming off a bye week in the victory.

3. The Wild, not the Blackhawks, are running away with the Central

With their seventh win in their last 10 games, Minnesota has extended their lead in the Central to nine points. Bruce Boudreau’s first year in the State of Hockey has gone even better than expected, as the Wild are one point behind the Capitals — who lost in a shootout on Saturday — for the league’s top team. A combination of strong play from Devan Dubnyk, who had 37 saves in the 5-2 win over the Predators, and a pair of goals from Jason Zucker helped the Wild take yet another victory.

4. Brent Burns is on track for a career year, and a Norris

With Erik Karlsson and Drew Doughty far behind the pace, Burns is without a doubt a lock for the NHL’s best defenseman award this season. Two goals on Saturday propelled Burns to 63 points with a double-digit lead over Karlsson’s 49. Burns is also on pace for a career-high 88 points, which would surpass his total of 75 set just last year.

Antoine Roussel had a hat trick — with quite the celebration — and Jamie Benn got the finisher for the Stars in Dallas’ 4-3 overtime win against the Lightning.