An NHL First: Clash of the Double-Digit Winning Streaks
Not that long ago, the NHL was buzzing about the Montréal Canadiens and New York Rangers.
Those were the league's surprise squads.
No longer.
Make no mistake, those clubs are doing their Original Six traditions proud, but right now, the spotlight has passed them over.
That they've been overshadowed by the Minnesota Wild and coach Bruce Boudreau isn't exactly a shock.
That they've all been topped by the Columbus Blue Jackets is.
That either team is on a double-digit winning streak is newsworthy enough.
But the fact they're meeting on New Year's Eve is dynamite.
As usual, torrid times on the ice begin between the pipes, where the starters have been virtually impenetrable:
| Record | GAA | Sv Pct | ||
| CBJ | Sergei Bobrovsky ... | 12-0-0 | 1.67 | .941 |
| MIN | Devan Dubnyk ... | 10-0-0 | 1.67 | .941 |
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Toss in the USA vs Canada battle for division dominance in the World Junior Championships' group stage and the NHL Winter Classic on Mon 2 Jan in St Louis, and there's no doubt hockey season has hit full stride.
Fans might even discover that the Habs and Blueshirts are in the midst of revivals in their fortunes.