Nick Suzuki sets career-high in points as Canadiens edge Panthers in thrilling OT win

The Canadiens kicked off April with one of their most exhilarating wins of the season. The victory was massive in the Eastern Conference Wild Card race, keeping Montreal two points ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets for the final playoff spot. While the game will be unforgettable for thousands of Habs fans, it holds special significance for Suzuki, who had the game of a lifetime in front of a rocking Bell Centre, while setting a new career high for points in a single season.

The stunning 3-2 overtime victory could end up being one of the most memorable games in recent memory for thousands of Canadiens fans. However, the game should be especially memorable for Habs captain Nick Suzuki. Not only did Suzuki have the game of his life in front of a rocking Bell Centre, but he also set a new career high for points in a single season.

Nick Suzuki puts the Canadiens on his back

With just eight games remaining in the regular season, every point is crucial for the Canadiens, a team few expected to be in the playoff hunt. Facing the possibility of coming away empty-handed Tuesday night, Montreal trailed 2-1 late in the third period. But with just nine seconds left, Suzuki pounced on a loose puck and buried it behind Panthers goaltender Vitek Vanecek, nearly blowing the roof off the Bell Centre.

That goal—Suzuki’s 24th of the season—also marked his 78th point, surpassing his previous career high of 77 set last season. Suzuki is clearly entering his prime, and his dominant play is beginning to translate into victories.

But the captain wasn’t finished. Just 29 seconds into overtime, he took a pass from linemate Cole Caufield, carried the puck around the Panthers’ defense, and wrapped it past Vanecek’s outstretched pad. If his equalizer hadn't blown the roof off the building, Suzuki's 25th of the season might have actually blown the roof clean off, as his game-winner sent the fans into absolute chaos. Even Suzuki—usually composed on the ice—let out a celebration that fired up his teammates.

Suzuki’s back-to-back goals placed him in an interesting section of NHL history. His game-tying goal with nine seconds left in regulation and his overtime winner 29 seconds into the extra period meant he recorded the second-fewest seconds between goals in regulation and overtime by the same player in league history.

Suzuki hits new career high

Entering the game, Suzuki needed just one point to set a new personal best. With his two-goal performance, he now sits at 79 points, and every additional point over the next eight games will extend his career high.

The question now is: How high can he climb? Suzuki is currently on pace for 88 points, though whether he reaches that mark remains to be seen. A more immediate milestone is within reach—he’s just five points away from 84, a number no Canadiens player has hit since Alex Kovalev in 2008.

Since returning from the 4 Nations break, Suzuki has been on a tear, but more importantly, his strong play and leadership have directly translated into wins. As the Canadiens push for a playoff berth, their captain’s performance will be more vital than ever.

Can Suzuki continue to lead by example and deliver playoff hockey back to Montreal? Habs fans certainly hope so.