Thanks to a strong ten-game stretch, the Leafs have positioned themselves back into playoff contention. Meanwhile, the Habs faced challenges against a resurgent John Gibson and the Wings, but Ryan remains confident in their performance and the potential for the second half of the NHL season. In the West, Canadian teams are struggling, while McDavid continues to impress with a record-setting points pace that promises to be exciting to watch.

Austin Matthews seems to have awakened, raising questions about whether it is too little too late for the Leafs to mount a second-half run. Meanwhile, the Canadiens have maintained their strong performance over the holiday season and are focused on keeping pace with other Cup contenders as the season progresses. With the Olympics just over a month away, rosters are being announced and analyzed, adding another layer of excitement to the hockey landscape.

The recent road trip for the Leafs has been extremely disappointing, prompting Berube to express his frustration with the team's performance and leadership. In contrast, the Canadiens, despite facing injuries and fatigue, have managed to maintain their strong overall play. With Hughes now traded, the question arises: which team will make the next significant move? Will the trade floodgates open after the roster freeze lifts and before the Olympic break? The next month could be pivotal for teams looking to strengthen their rosters.