Nick Suzuki will be one of the key factors against the Pittsburgh Penguins

The Montreal Canadiens will need Carey Price to succeed in the play-in round, but Nick Suzuki will also have a key role against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

One thing players love to experience, and fans love to witness is a, “Welcome to the NHL” moment. If you’re a fan of the Marvel movies, you can equate it to Tony Stark knighting Peter Parker during Avengers: Infinity War. Whether it’s looking across at the opening faceoff to see a superstar in front of you or someone laying a big hit on you, it happens to everyone. Nick Suzuki definitely had a number of those moments this season on the Montreal Canadiens, and thankfully, he didn’t let it get to him.

Suzuki fought his way to earn the trust of the coaching staff starting out on the fourth line next to Nate Thompson, playing as high as the top line with Philip Danault, now establishing himself as an NHL centre. His 13 goals and 28 assists aren’t going to earn any nods for a Calder nomination, but it is sixth amongst all rookies and third amongst rookie forwards. Combine that with a serviceable defensive game, and the Habs have a good one in their future.

Thanks to the Play-In Round leading up to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Montreal Canadiens will get more opportunities to see the 20-year-old compete against the league’s best. And as fate would have it, the Habs are going to see the Pittsburgh Penguins during this series.

Every series breakdown detailing the things the Habs need to succeed and grind out three wins begin and end with Carey Price.