A Winning Habit
Fansided

The Montreal Canadiens are Nick Suzuki and Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s team

By Omar L

TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 01: Nick Suzuki #14 of the Montreal Canadiens is congratulated by teammate Jesperi Kotkaniemi #15 after Suzuki scored a goal in the second period against the Pittsburgh Penguins during Game One of the Eastern Conference Qualification Round prior to the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 01, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 01: Nick Suzuki #14 of the Montreal Canadiens is congratulated by teammate Jesperi Kotkaniemi #15 after Suzuki scored a goal in the second period against the Pittsburgh Penguins during Game One of the Eastern Conference Qualification Round prior to the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 01, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Carey Price will always be an important piece of the Montreal Canadiens, but Nick Suzuki and Jesperi Kotkaniemi have made the team theirs.

There were two defining expectations for Nick Suzuki and Jesperi Kotkaniemi on the Montreal Canadiens this season, and that is their impact on the team. Many were optimistic about what Suzuki could bring to the roster while others were focused in on what Kotkaniemi could do in his sophomore year in the NHL.

The story is pretty well memorized at this point. Suzuki worked his way from fourth-line right-wing to first-line centre while Kotkaniemi struggled through injuries and improved himself for the better. The Habs are seeing the fruits of all that labour, and it’s leading them to success in the playoffs. Of course, I’m talking about their play in Game 2.

Kotkaniemi is leading the Montreal Canadiens in goals after striking at 5v5 and on the power play. Suzuki isn’t generating as much – a goal and two assists in six games – but the intangibles of his game are sticking out, especially in this series.

The 20-year-old led all forwards in 5v5 ice time at 11:31 and was all over the possession play finishing at a 61.54 CF%. He makes good plays with his stick and his body to position himself well all over the ice. Even the subtleties of Suzuki’s game are effective, and you can see that in his floating shot on Carter Hart to get the puck on the left side of the ice for Brendan Gallagher.

Kotkaniemi, on the other hand, has caught fire tremendously. He’s noticeable every time he’s on the ice, whether it’s from making a play or getting involved physically. Coincidently, those are the two categories his goals fall under.

It’s a defensive breakdown by the Philadelphia Flyers on the first, but Kotkaniemi is right there in the blue paint to put the puck in the net past Hart. And before the goal, he was still roughing it up fighting for his space in the crease.

Kotkaniemi’s second was the EA Sports NHL 20 glitch goal as he enters the zone with speed and shoots right while moving to the left with a quick release.

The Montreal Canadiens allowed their play to revolve around Nick Suzuki and Jesperi Kotkaniemi, and it paid off. It’s only the beginning for these two, and if they continue to perform as they have been, who knows what can happen by the end of the series.

Morning Habits

Hockey World Unites to Wish Claude Julien Well

We’re all hoping Claude Julien is doing well.

Montreal Canadiens Chase Carter Hart in Decisive Game 2 Win

The Habs knocked the Hart out of Carter with a dominating performance in Game 2.

Montreal Canadiens are keeping Max Domi down by not bringing him up

We had a post ahead of Game 2 that the Montreal Canadiens should keep Max Domi off the fourth line…(it worked).

Kirk Muller Prepared for Role as Interim Head Coach

The Montreal Canadiens are going to have a new face leading the charge behind the bench.

Home/Editorials