The Leafs and Lightning each had perfect weeks and are running away at the top of the division, while the Habs took a step back after they appeared to be on the rise.

The Lightning won three games last week, beating the Islanders, Avs, and Jets, and are now riding a four-game winning streak. They have a three-point lead on the Leafs at the top of the division and have played two fewer games. They really look like the team to beat in the East at this point.

The Leafs also had a perfect week, winning three games. They edged out the Flames, Penguins, and Oilers, but didn’t look all that great, getting out shot in all of them. Auston Matthews also missed the team’s game against Edmonton on Sunday with an upper body injury, which is cryptic.

The Bruins are slowly heating up, as they won both of their games last week and have pulled themselves back above Montreal for the third playoff spot in the Atlantic. Boston may only have two more points than Montreal, but they’ve played four fewer games thus far.

Remember when the Canadiens beat Buffalo, Ottawa, and Detroit twice and their season had turned around? Neither do I. Montreal lost three games last week, getting downed by St. Louis, Calgary, and Edmonton. They allowed 13 goals in the three games, and Carey Price was pulled in an ugly performance against the Oilers.

The Red Wings avenged their 10-1 loss to the Habs by beating the Jets 5-1, but then they went ahead and got hammered by the Blues 6-1 a few days later. All told, Detroit went 1-1 on the week, slowing their collapse that’s been going on throughout December. That win over Winnipeg was their first of the month.

The Florida Panthers are slowly climbing up the division largely because the other bad teams are losing. They played two games last week, beating Winnipeg 6-4 and losing to Colorado 7-3. Roberto Luongo is on the shelf with an injury, so it’s James Reimer’s time to shine. Unfortunately, Optimus Reim has a .888 save percentage.

The Sens have quickly become the NHL’s best live action comedy. After a hot start to the season, they pulled the trigger on a big trade for Matt Duchene and everything has gone to hell since. It isn’t Duchene’s fault the team is bad and the front office wasn’t aware of it. But Ottawa had another winless week last week, losing to Anaheim, L.A., and San Jose on their West Coast swing and have now dropped 11 of 12 games.

But as bad as the Sens have been, they aren’t as bad as the Sabres. But that might not be for long! The Sabres went 1-0-2 last week, which is about as good as they can do. They’re only five points behind Ottawa in the standings now. Watch out!!