A visit to the page dedicated to the Montreal Canadiens on the website ‘dailyfaceoff.com’ is indicative of the importance of Nick Suzuki within the team. His name and number 14 appear in the first line, the first power play unit, but also in the second power play unit. It’s an imposing challenge for a young player, a challenge that does not make the Habs captain back down.
So far since the start of January, Suzuki has averaged nearly 23 minutes per game. In each of the previous three months, his average usage per game had never reached 22 minutes.
“It’s something I’ve done for most of my career,” Suzuki said of the multiplication of roles after the Canadiens practice at the Bell Sports Complex on Monday morning.
“I’m used to it. I want to be in these situations. I want to play all the special teams and be effective at five against five. […] The important thing is your preparation before the games,” said the Ontarian.
Despite all those minutes in January, Suzuki has only had six points in 13 games, and only one goal since the start of the first month of 2023.
He hasn’t scored since Jan. 14 – a seven-game drought – and since then he’s had just two assists. He has also been held in check in the club’s last three meetings.
By comparison, Suzuki had 14 points, including eight goals, in 13 games in November.
“I make plays, I try to get shots on goal, but the puck doesn’t go into the net. Sometimes just getting the second assist can help get you started again. I do my best to play the right way, without cheating, to produce in attack and to be solid on the entire surface of the game.
Another detail that is not likely to help him: Suzuki must pivot a trio with wingers different from those he has encountered more often than not during the first half of the season. And he no longer has Cole Caufield to his left.
There is a period of adaptation, acknowledges head coach Martin St-Louis.
“Susan is still a young player and we are trying to work on a full game. It is sure that it is pleasant when he is rewarded. It’s an adaptation of not playing with the same players, but Susan is smart and he has enough talent to know how to navigate this. I’m not worried,” commented St-Louis in the scrum.
Asked whether there was an aspect of Suzuki’s game that he needed to improve, St-Louis instead focused on all the work to be done. And by the way, he gave a good note to his young player.
“It’s like every player, you have to be able to play a game over 200 feet. You have to produce chances, you have to defend yourself. I’m not saying that’s a thing. I am happy with the progress of Susanwith all he has on his shoulders this year,” said St-Louis.
“First of all, he’s a captain. Secondly, we have a team that has a lot of injuries. Third, he plays against the best opposing lines, and he plays a lot of minutes, on the power play, and on the penalty kill. It’s a lot of tasks,” acknowledged St-Louis.
After Tuesday night’s game at the Bell Center against the Ottawa Senators, the Canadiens’ players will benefit from a long break before returning to action on February 11 against the Islanders at the Bell Center.
The exception to the rule will be Suzuki, the only Canadian player invited to the All-Star Weekend in Florida. On his return, however, he will be able to take advantage of a few days to regain his strength for the last 31 games.
“The all-star game is a great experience and I want to get the most out of it. I want to have as much fun as possible, and be around the best players in the league that I think highly of,” Suzuki said.