MONTREAL — Reflecting on a game from February 29, 2024, where the Montreal Canadiens suffered a narrow shootout loss to the Florida Panthers, it`s clear how much has changed.
It was after that game, witnessing Nick Suzuki`s head-to-head battle with Aleksander Barkov, that coach Martin St. Louis began to consider the immense potential of his captain.
“Considering his age and the significant progress he`s demonstrated in his recent games, one wonders if he`s still only beginning to tap into his full capabilities. He`s still remarkably young,” St. Louis commented at the time.
These were valid questions, even after Suzuki, at just 24 years old, had already played 351 NHL games.
He entered that period having scored 11 goals in just 12 games. By then, he had amassed 56 points in 59 games. Suzuki`s continued scoring, including a goal and two assists against Barkov, fueled speculation about his potential to reach even greater heights.
Thirteen months and 98 games later, the answer is a definitive yes.
Even before Suzuki`s recent game-winning goal and assist against the Philadelphia Flyers, securing a 3-2 victory, it was evident. His current season stats show 83 points in 76 games, nearing Pierre Turgeon`s 96 points in the 1995-96 season, the highest for a Canadiens player since then. Suzuki has not only matched up against top players like Barkov but has excelled, particularly since the international break. He has scored 12 goals and 31 points in this period, leading the Canadiens to a 12-4-4 record and significantly improving their playoff chances.
In a recent game against Barkov`s Panthers, Suzuki mirrored his performance from the February 2024 game.
However, this time, the Canadiens won by a two-goal margin.
They also won their subsequent game against the Panthers, thanks to Suzuki`s late tying goal and an overtime winner.
He also contributed a goal and an assist in a 4-1 victory over the Boston Bruins, further highlighting his consistent high performance, as seen again in the game against Philadelphia.
Tristan Blackwood