It’s an open secret that center Nick Suzuki hasn’t had as much success on the road as in the comfort of the Bell Center since the start of his career with the Montreal Canadiens.
Suzuki, who was having a miserable season like most of his CH teammates before head coach Dominique Ducharme was fired and Martin St-Louis was hired on an interim basis on February 10, has since relaunched his campaign.
This revival coincided with St. Louis’ decision to pair him with veteran Josh Anderson and sniper Cole Caufield. Between them, they total 11 goals and 10 assists in eight games. Stunning statistics, which are easily explained according to the 22-year-old Ontarian.
“Our line is very complete: we have weight, speed, playmaking skills, and my wingers are formidable shooters, so it’s a lot of fun to play with them. You just have to stand out — I know Andy (Anderson) will be at the mouth of the net, and Cole (Caufield) has been playing well lately — so hopefully we can keep playing together.” he said by videoconference after the training session on Monday in Brossard.
Suzuki also believes that the decision of St. Louis to keep this line as it is despite the three consecutive defeats at the start of its reign partly explains its current success.
“It’s much easier to play with the same guys for a certain period of time. It hasn’t happened often this season, so being able to train regularly together makes it easier for us during matches. We are having success, and we want it to continue,” said Suzuki.
For his part, St-Louis believes that the key to this line’s continued success is simple.
“It’s their consistency, their work ethic, the communication. They have to “coach” each other and understand the strengths of the other two,” explained the former star player of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The fact remains that the Habs’ confidence on opposing rinks is fragile, and Anderson suggested a solution to solidify it.
“It’s difficult to play in front of the opposing team’s fans. You have to have a good start to silence the crowd – it’s the best feeling in the world when you can do that. For seven or eight games we’ve been playing the right way and I know all the guys in the locker room know their role on the ice. Everyone is doing their part; it is no longer the business of a trio or two. And our goalies are doing an amazing job, so I think we have to keep that momentum going,” Anderson explained.
“Every night, we go into the game telling ourselves that we can win. It’s a state of mind, and knowing that we have a chance to win every night, then our job becomes a lot more fun,” he added.
And as St-Louis so aptly put it, everything that happened before he took office is ancient history. A message that was echoed in Suzuki’s comments.
“The season has not been easy, but since “Marty” (St-Louis) arrived we have had more success. So we approach it (the trip) as if it were a new season. We’ve had a winning record since ‘Marty’ arrived, and we want that to continue,” he said.
Suzuki, however, recognized that a team must adapt its style of play depending on whether it is home or away, since the home team can choose its matchups on the ice under last substitution priority.
“But I hope we can continue to produce at our current rate,” he said.
And if this is not the case during the Canadiens’ next four-game trip to Western Canada, Suzuki and its playing partners can always count on the support of St-Louis to revive them.
“On the road, you will often play against the best pair of defenders, a line that has a job to do that night. Me, I liked the challenges of playing against the best opposing players. You have to take that angle, even if it’s more difficult, and not have the attitude of deflating before the match. It is a state of mind; take it as a challenge. I don’t know how he (Suzuki) plays on the road, but if I feel it’s different then I’ll try to help him. »
The Bleu-blanc-rouge will visit the Jets in Winnipeg on Tuesday before facing the Calgary Flames (Thursday), the Edmonton Oilers (Saturday) and the Vancouver Canucks (next Wednesday).