Captain Nick Suzuki has been the model of consistency for the Montreal Canadiens, and thanks to his sustained health, his production continues to increase.
On Sunday night, the London, Ontario native matched his career high in points (66) in the Habs 70th game of the season against the Seattle Kraken. Last year he posted 26-40-66 totals through a full 82-game schedule. Currently, he sits at 28-38-66 with 12 games remaining to close out the Habs season.
Suzuki's 65th point of the season came on the game-opening goal by defenseman Kaiden Guhle. Suzuki and Cole Caufield drew the two assists, which isn't much of a surprise. Guhle's goal was the first of three points on the night, a personal best for the Edmonton, Alberta native.
They're giving this goal to Kaiden Guhle now. https://t.co/t4gZGxaKuv
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) March 25, 2024
Suzuki's quest to reach 30 goals took another step in the right direction when he registered his 28th of the year. Jordan Harris and Juraj Slafkovsky drew the assists on the tally. Slafkovsky's next point will be the 50th of his career, and so long as it comes before his 20th birthday, he will tie Mario Tremblay for the most points by a teenager in Canadiens history.
Nick Suzuki with a nasty snipe to make it 3-0 #Habs pic.twitter.com/fxllnFTJt7
— Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) March 25, 2024
Let's talk about that shot. My lord was it ever a beauty and for those who thought that he was purely a playmaker, he has answered emphatically. He can shoot the puck with the best on the team and his reputation as a brilliant passer often freezes goalies.
With his linemate and best bud Cole Caufield healthy this season, it was expected that Caufield would be the one scoring. But he has raised his playmaking skills to a new level and Suzuki has taken full advantage of it. Slafkovsky's emergence has also played a significant part, but Suzuki's high IQ has been the story.
Coming out of junior hockey, Suzuki was known as a do-it-all number-one centre. What he has been doing at the NHL level is impressive, especially on a rebuilding squad. But given that he slipped to the Vegas Golden Knights at 13th overall; it's hard to imagine anybody envisioned him being this good so soon into his career.
Nick Suzuki (275) is four points away from surpassing PK Subban (278) on the Habs all-time points board.
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) March 25, 2024
Guy Lafleur of course holds the record for most points in Montreal Canadiens history with 1246 points. pic.twitter.com/c2DhqMD38M
In a season where Suzuki is likely to reach career highs in every statistical category, he is also primed to pass a big-name past play in career points. His 275 points are four shy of PK Subban's 278 with the Canadiens. He is also within striking distance of tying, at the very least, but possibly surpassing Saku Koivu's 75-point season in 2006-07.
It would take a significant run to finish the season to catch Alex Kovalev's 84-point campaign in 2007-08. But that is a record to aim for next season. With a bona fide second line in place, his production might increase.
On Tuesday night against the Colorado Avalanche, Suzuki will have his chance to set a new career-high in points, and it's hard to imagine that he won't reach the feat.