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Montreal Canadiens: Nick Suzuki Honoured As NHL's Third Star Of The Week, And The Top Line Is Hot

By Tyler Major-Mcnicol |
Montreal Canadiens v Washington Capitals
Montreal Canadiens v Washington Capitals / Patrick Smith/GettyImages
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Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki was named the NHL's third star of the week ending on February 11.

The 24-year-old London, Ontario native collected 4-2-6 totals through three games. Suzuki has been one of head coach Martin St. Louis's most relied-upon players, thanks to his consistency. His Iron Man streak has also been a huge help - having him available is crucial to the team's success - but the way he has grown is uber impressive.

Alongside 19-year-old Juraj Slafkovsky and 22-year-old Cole Caufield, Suzuki and the top line have been the story for the Canadiens early in 2024. Many have questioned how valid an idea it is to have Suzuki as the team's number one centre when they are in their contention window. And while I agree that icing the best possible lineup is important, Suzuki has been the guy and he has undergone a ton of growth.

On pace to shatter his career high of 26-40-66 through 82 games set in 2022-23, Suzuki has nine points in his last five games, and 15 in his last 10. With the Canadiens' top line dictating where the offensive train goes and Cole and Juraj growing at a crazy rate, Suzuki deserves his flowers. Suzuki has posted 17-31-48 totals through 52 games, a rate that would leave his 66-point career best in the dust, but he has been a big reason for his line's success.

I'm not going to try and predict what sort of production we will see when Suzuki is at his best, but he looks like a sure bet to hit the 50-assist plateau this season. Could he score 13 goals over the next 32 games to hit the 30-goal mark? I think so. And I don't think that it's out of the realm of possibly, for him to become an 80-85 point producer either this year or next.

To Be Considered: The Canadiens top line has been playing quite well, and it has all come without a second line to help support them. It has also come without compromising away from the puck play. Slafkovsky is incredibly raw, and at the beginning of the season, many fans had written him off as a bust.

The Canadiens revamped development staff, has already proven to be a reason for hope. And Suzuki's success can be linked to the way his linemates have played. Give it another year or two, for Slafkovsky to continue developing, and the second line to form - and the Habs' top line, especially Suzuki should gain more attention from the NHL for their strong play.

Habs' Top Line Has Been Hot

New York Islanders v Montreal Canadiens
New York Islanders v Montreal Canadiens / Minas Panagiotakis/GettyImages

Let's lay it all on the table right away, and have a look at what the two other parts of the top line have been doing this year.

Caufield and Slafkovsky are the club's two best offensive weapons, and the fact that they are both under 23 years old, tells you all you need to know. They have a tremendous runway for growth and the way they are playing right now is only a small tidbit of what's to come. Caufield hasn't hit the 30-goal mark yet in his career - he had 26 before going down with injury last year - but he is the likeliest of all the Habs to do it.

Slafkovsky, however, didn't appear to be a threat for more than 10-15 goals; earning his keep in the assist department seemed most likely. But if you take a look at his positioning in the offensive zone, and the way he uses his vision to read plays ahead of time, his ceiling has only grown higher. It doesn't seem so unlikely that he will hit 20 goals this year, despite starting the season on a cold streak.

Like Caufield touched on, Slafkovsky has an undying thirst for knowledge, he is a student of the game. Whether he is asking questions on the bench or working well before and after practice, it's obvious that he has the 'It Factor". He always has a smile on his face, just like Caufield and he doesn't seem to feel like he is working, but more so having fun.

The inquisitive approach and undying passion to continue improving and growing have fuelled the Habs top trio. The domino effect throughout the lineup will be huge for the organization's culture. And with more time to grow and learn - you have to think that while the losses are frustrating and trading away locker room staples is tough - it won't be all for naught.

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