Relies on crucial captain Nick Suzuki for key performances in decisive situations, Canadiens depend heavily on him.

Montreal's Nick Suzuki: A Steady Hand Amidst Stormy Seas

MONTREAL - Nick Suzuki may not shout from the rooftops, but his quiet intensity is a beacon for the Montreal Canadiens, especially in crunch time.

"When the group needs a lift or a big moment, he's the one who comes through," teammate Alex Newhook notes. "He takes charge when we need it most."

The Canadiens will lean on their captain as they fight for survival in Game 5 of their playoff series against the Washington Capitals. Trailing 3-1, the Canadiens face the possibility of elimination at Washington's Capital One Arena.

In his third season as captain, Suzuki has been the driving force behind Montreal's playoff charge. His team-leading 89 points, a feat not seen by a Canadien since 1995-96, has silenced the murmurs about Montreal's long search for a true number one center.

Back in September, Suzuki felt the doubters were underestimating the Canadiens, a team expected to miss the playoffs for a fourth straight season. Determined to prove them wrong, he asked general manager Kent Hughes not to sell at the March 7 trade deadline, despite Montreal's slide in the playoff picture.

"I'm glad he did that," said defenseman Kaiden Guhle, who only learned about Suzuki's decision after it was made public. "He doesn't talk much, but he knows what's going on. He has a deep sense of the team, and that's what you want from a captain."

Head coach Martin St. Louis urged Suzuki to win games, and the captain did just that. Montreal won five straight games to start a 15-5-6 run after the 4 Nations Face-Off break. Suzuki, left off Canada's roster, recorded 37 points in 26 games to rank fourth in the NHL during that stretch.

"What I love about Suzy is, he backed it up," St. Louis said. "He validated why he didn't want the team broken up."

Suzuki has a knack for delivering in the clutch. Before reaching the NHL, he earned the OHL playoff MVP with the Guelph Storm in 2019, rallying them from 3-0, 3-1, and 2-0 deficits in three straight rounds to capture the OHL title.

In 2021, Suzuki scored the Game 5 overtime winner when the Canadiens came back from 3-1 down in the first-round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. "That's what he's always been - a clutch player," veteran forward Brendan Gallagher said. "He's shown up big-time in our playoff runs. We trust him to step up game after game."

Suzuki, now 25, became the youngest captain in Canadiens history on September 12, 2022, and the 31st overall. St. Louis has watched Suzuki grow into his role while keeping the same essence. "It's been an ongoing transformation of the way Suzy leads off the ice as he gains more experience, but I don't think the core approach of Suzy's leadership will change," St. Louis said. "He'll continue to be a player who pulls the group along with his on-ice performance."

The Capitals have kept Suzuki at bay so far, limiting him to two goals through four games. Head coach Spencer Carbery has actively sought to find the right matchups to shut down Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky's high-end line. The trio combined for three goals and 19 shots in a 6-3 win in Game 3, with Caufield and Slafkovsky also scoring on the power play in Game 4. However, the Capitals managed to contain the line during a 5-2 victory in Game 4. "We hope our top guys are at their best in Game 5, starting with Suzuki," the Canadiens hope.

The Next Decade's Powerhouse

Atlantic Division rivals might be getting a sneak peek at Montreal's future power play setup. Slafkovsky, Ivan Demidov, and Lane Hutson - with an average age of 20.33 - have shown promising synergy on the power play. Suzuki, the oldest member of the first unit, is healing from an upper-body injury.

"We've got everything we need to be a strong power play," Suzuki said. "We think we can be a force for the next decade."

A Long History of Rivalry

The heated Bench melee between Washington's Tom Wilson and Montreal's Josh Anderson in Game 3 was just the latest chapter in their contentious relationship. Anderson and Wilson have fought on multiple occasions, both in the NHL and during their OHL days.

"I don't remember the specifics, but you know what you're gonna get with him," Wilson said. "He's playing his role."

Despite his quiet demeanor, Nick Suzuki, the 31st captain in Canadiens history, has been a driving force behind Montreal's playoff charge this season, leading the team with 89 points.
In the 2021 playoffs, Suzuki showcased his clutch style of play, scoring the Game 5 overtime winner against the Toronto Maple Leafs when the Canadiens were down 3-1 in the series.
Looking towards the future, Suzuki and his teammates, including the promising power play unit consisting of Ivan Demidov, Lane Hutson, and Juraj Slafkovsky, hope to establish Montreal as a powerhouse for the next decade.
In the ongoing playoff series against the Washington Capitals, the Capitals have been actively seeking to contain Suzuki alongside Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky's high-end line, but the Canadiens are hoping that Suzuki and his teammates step up in Game 5 to stay in the playoffs.