Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki didn't have a signature moment in the Winter Olympics during Canada's three group stage games, but that all changed on Wednesday in their quarterfinals matchup against Czechia. Trailing 3-2 late in the third period, with Canada captain Sidney Crosby taken out of the game with a lower body injury. But with over five minutes left, Suzuki played the role of hero.
Suzuki skated into Czechia's zone and passed the puck to Seth Jarvis, who then dished it to Devon Toews for a slap shot. As the shot careened to Czechia goalie Lukas Dostal, Suzuki redirected it and put it into the back of the net to tie the game 3-3. This goal forced overtime, which Canada won on a winning shot by Mitch Marner.
Suzuki was one of the catalysts for Canada's comeback victory, alongside Marner and goalie Jordan Binnington. After the game, Suzuki brought up to The Athletic's Arpon Basu (subscription required) what Montreal head coach and former Team Canada player Martin St. Louis taught him early on in his career and that is if there are multiple opportunities available, choose the best one.
Nick Suzuki shouts out Martin St. Louis for role in clutch goal for Canada in Olympic quarterfinals
“It’s kind of something that Marty (St. Louis) always talks about. If you’re by yourself, linemates are changing, maybe just try to get it in, go forecheck by yourself and buy yourself some time for fresh guys to get out there and I was able to do that," Suzuki told Basu.
Suzuki mentioned to Basu that early on in his career that St. Louis had to teach him to put the puck deep in the zone and to get off of the ice when it was time for a line change. Suzuki said that he would try to extend his shifts to get one more chance on offense. He used that knowledge in this game to know that he was in a position to send the puck into Czechia's zone, knowing that there would be a fresh line change, considering Marner and Mark Stone were close to the bench. That allowed Jarvis and Toews to enter the zone and a matter of seconds later, Canada had tied the game with a redirection from Suzuki.
Given how stacked Canada's roster is, Suzuki didn't make too much of an impact, as compared to the likes of Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Macklin Celebrini, and Crosby. Suzuki had one goal to his credit, which came in the preliminary round against Czechia. Now, he has two to his credit, with one playing a pivotal role in Canada keeping their gold medal hopes alive.
With Crosby day-to-day and uncertain to play in the semifinals against Finland, Suzuki may see increased responsibilities once again. After all, he did move up to center Stone and Marner once Crosby exited with his injury. We'll see how he can build off of this incredible moment. Either way, Montreal fans have to be stoked about their team captain coming up with one of the top plays of Canada's Olympic run, and Suzuki did so by remembering what St. Louis taught him.