The Montreal Canadiens looked like a underdog set to pull off a major upset after Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, where they defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 6-2. It looked as though the momentum from their seven-game series win over the Buffalo Sabres. But then Games 2 and 3 happened, as the Hurricanes showed why they dominated the Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Flyers to go a perfect 8-0 in the first two rounds of the playoffs.
The Canadiens now find themselves down 2-1 in the Eastern Conference Finals, after losing back-to-back overtime games. It's not just that the Canadiens lost in heartbreaking fashion, it's the fact that Montreal's offense was virtually non-existent. As it turns out, the Canadiens' offense plummets when captain Nick Suzuki isn't factoring into the final score.
ESPN's Greg Wyshynski pointed out that the in nine wins in these playoffs, Suzuki has 13 points (three goals, 10 assists). On the flip side, Suzuki has just three points (one goal, two assists) in eight playoff losses.
Nick Suzuki:
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) May 26, 2026
* In 9 playoff wins: 3 G, 10 A (13 pts)
* In 8 playoff losses: 1 G, 2 A (3 pts)
In Game 3, he was forcing passes and had the game on his stick in OT ... only to miss the net. As he goes, so go the Habs. pic.twitter.com/eWw15yw9fm
Statistics show Nick Suzuki is key to Canadiens wins in these playoffs
A star player putting up points leading to team wins is not exactly a groundbreaking development. It's a given that the superstar scoring or assisting on goals will give a team a better chance of winning. But with the Canadiens, and how poorly they have played in these last two games against the Hurricanes, it's worth monitoring.
In this series, Suzuki put up three assists in Montreal's dominating Game 1 performance. As for Games 2 and 3? Zero points. As Wyshynski brings up, Suzuki had the chance to win Game 3 in overtime on a breakaway chance created on a long pass from defenseman Lane Hutson. It was the perfect opportunity for Suzuki to give Montreal the series lead, but his shot flew wide left of Carolina goalie Frederik Andersen.
The top line, which Suzuki is a part of, has been under scrutiny and criticism throughout this lengthy playoff run, mostly due in part to their lack of production on even strength. Suzuki himself said they knew they needed to step up against the Hurricanes, while crediting players on other lines for stepping up for them. Thus far, both Suzuki and Cole Caufield's point total, three each, arrived on even strength.
While that's all well and good, the problem is the Canadiens just aren't putting much pressure on Andersen, while Jakub Dobes has to stand on his head to keep them in the game. In Game 2, Montreal recorded just 12 shots on goal, with Suzuki recording two of those shots. In Game 3 on Monday night, the Canadiens put just 13 shots on net, with Suzuki having one of them.
Sure, the Canadiens were able to clinch a playoff series against the Tampa Bay Lightning with a nine-shot Game 7, but that's not a formula worth replicating. Yes, credit can be given to the Hurricanes defense for smothering the Canadiens' offense. But these two games have shown that Montreal needs to alter their approach offensively. Most importantly, try to get Suzuki back to scoring goals and setting up goals. If they continue to be non-existent, Montreal can kiss their Stanley Cup chances goodbye.
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