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.

Trade winds blow through the Western conference which results in Quinn Hughes going to the Minnesota Wild making the Central division more competitive than it already was! In a move that was highly expected, the Oilers swap goalies with the Penguins. The Leafs continue to struggle with giveaways resulting in their leadership being called out! Meanwhile the Habs are searching for consistency but finish the week on a high note beating the Oilers.

The Jekyll & Hyde Canadiens are in search of consistency, having defeated the Leafs one night only to struggle against the Blues the next. Meanwhile, the NJ Devils are faltering and seeking solutions, while the Capitals and Wild are maintaining their momentum thanks to strong goaltending. As the Christmas holiday trade embargo approaches, trade winds are starting to pick up steam. Additionally, there are questions surrounding the situation in Italy and whether the Olympic hockey tournament should be relocated.

We've reached the quarter mark of the NHL season, prompting an examination of whether the Thanksgiving Playoff Theory will hold true. Currently, only one Canadian team is in a playoff position, while several teams are exceeding expectations. Will this dynamic shift, or will it be up to the Montréal Canadiens to bring the Cup back to Canada

Ryan gloats as The Toronto Maple Leafs faced a terrible loss against the Montreal Canadiens, placing them at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings! In contrast, teams like the Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders, and Anaheim Ducks are showcasing unexpected success early in the season. Additionally, injuries to key players are becoming a growing concern across the league.

Quick ignites a bench clearing skirmish following yet another home loss for the Rangers, underscoring the mounting pressure on the team to perform in front of their fans. Binnington's position as the starting goaltender for Team Canada is under threat from Logan Thompson, and the Oilers need to find an answer to their goaltending wows before it's too late. On a more positive note, the Canadiens are showing signs of breaking free from their recent struggles, while the Maple Leafs continue to underperform suggesting a shakeup may be necessary to prevent the season from slipping away.