A Winning Habit
Fansided

Montreal Canadiens Projected Opening Night Lineup

By Ken MacMillan

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 20: Brendan Gallagher #11 and Max Domi #13 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrate after a 2-1 victory against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on December 20, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 20: Brendan Gallagher #11 and Max Domi #13 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrate after a 2-1 victory against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on December 20, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 9
Next
DETROIT, MI – FEBRUARY 26: Tomas Tatar #90 (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – FEBRUARY 26: Tomas Tatar #90 (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Second Forward Line:

Tomas Tatar – Phillip Danault – Nick Suzuki

The Canadiens best line last season was undoubtedly Tomas Tatar, Phillip Danault and Brendan Gallagher. It was one of the best two-way lines in the National Hockey League, especially at even strength. They dominated possession and outscored their opponents by a wide margin. It would take a unique situation to split up such a great trio.

Enter Nick Suzuki. The 20 year old forward was exceptional in the Ontario Hockey League last season for the Owen Sound Attack and especially for the Guelph Storm in the postseason. Suzuki won the playoff MVP award while carrying the Storm to a league title with 42 points in 24 games.

He has stepped into the lineup at training camp this fall and proven his great OHL campaign was no fluke. He played two games at center, starting with Charles Hudon and Jordan Weal and then playing a game with Paul Byron and Weal. He played so well he was moved up to play with Tatar and Danault in the next contest and he fit right in.

Tatar scored 25 goals and set a career high with 58 points last season. Danault also had a career year with 53 points. Adding a highly skilled right winger with excellent vision and passing skills in Suzuki would not slow this line down offensively.

Having Tatar, Danault and Suzuki behind Domi, Gallagher and Lehkonen gives the Canadiens two great two-way lines that would make very few mistakes, play with exceptional pace and put pressure on the opposing top four defensemen every night.

Home/Editorials