Nick Suzuki will be one of the key factors against the Pittsburgh Penguins
By Omar L
That’s been the franchise’s mantra for years, but it’s apparent now more than ever. The Habs do not have the talent the Penguins have. Ignoring having future Hall-of-Famers in Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, there is also Patric Hornqvist, who also finds a way to turn it up in the playoffs, as well as newly acquired Jason Zucker and Patrick Marleau.
Additionally, Pittsburgh is probably going to have Jake Guentzel back. Guenztel required surgery for a shoulder injury sustained in December, and the prognosis was four-to-six months. With the NHL only now entering Phase 2 of their Return to Play Plan, he’ll likely be ready to go by the time the season restarts.
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One thing we all know about the playoffs is that it’s generally the bottom-six that stands out. Take the Washington Capitals Stanley Cup run in 2018. The third line led by Lars Eller was a big part of that championship. Why? Because the top two lines worked their hardest to shut each other down, leaving more offensive opportunities for the depth players.
The Play-In isn’t the playoffs, but the stakes of the games are going to push the competitiveness to that level (or at least, that’s what coaches and players will be hoping for). Claude Julien should be focusing on having Danault and Max Domi try to shut down Crosby and Malkin, respectively. That statement screams ‘easier said than done,’ however, that has to be a starting point to whatever game plan the Montreal Canadiens come up with.
With Danault and Domi keeping Crosby and Malkin preoccupied, that will leave Suzuki with a key role: generate offence when the opportunities arise.
That, in of itself, isn’t going to be easy either. Jared McCann will slot in at 3C if Nick Bjugstad isn’t ready to return, and both are solid NHL centres. That said, it’s through Suzuki where the Habs are going to have the best chance to generate.