The Columbus Blue Jackets finished the run up to the Christmas Holiday with a bang, beating the second Eastern Conference Leader in two nights by holding on over the Montreal Canadiens 2-1. It was kind of an ugly game, but winning ugly games is what gives you 50 points by Christmas. It also gives you first place in the NHL over the Christmas break, and even the most fervent naysayer can take that away from them.
The defending Stanley Cup Champion Penguins made it tough, by taking out their frustration on the Devils, to make sure that the Jackets needed to win if they wanted to be number 1.