Montreal Canadiens: Three Standout Performances vs St. Louis Blues

Second Star: Nick Suzuki

Nick Suzuki made the Montreal Canadiens roster because he played so well during their training camp and in the preseason games. Once the regular season hit, Suzuki started to look like a 20 year old rookie. He was tentative with the puck and not reading plays particularly well.

Suzuki finally scored his first NHL goal against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night. It wasn’t exactly a highlight reel goal but the puck bounced to him in an awkward position and he was able to gain control of it and quickly fire it into the open net from a very sharp angle.

Then came yesterday’s game. Suzuki’s first since he scored his first NHL goal and suddenly he looked like a dangerous player. He was obviously more confident in his game, more patient with the puck, seemed to be reading the play far better and was always in the right spot.

Suzuki was trusted to play in all situations last night and finished with 15:30. He looked great on the power play, moving the puck around to his teammates and taking smart shots when the opportunity presented itself.

His best shot came in the second period when his linemates Nick Cousins and Nate Thompson led a rush up ice. As Thompson headed deep in the Blues zone Suzuki was trailing the play but found open ice in the slot and got open. Thompson fed him a pass and Suzuki one-timed it past Allen to make it 4-1.

Suzuki also played 1:36 while the Canadiens were shorthanded which was the fourth most of any Habs forward. Most rookies are stapled to the bench when the team is shorthanded so this shows a tremendous amount of confidence in Suzuki by the coaching staff.

Suzuki was effective in all areas of the game and in all situations. It was his best game of the season and he was the second best player on the ice for the Habs.