Nick Suzuki already had big shoes to fill in the absence of Sean Monahan, the team’s second center. But since January 21, the last four meetings, Suzuki has had to learn to live without his great accomplice Cole Caufield.
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Statistically, Suzuki is in a major low. Prior to Monahan’s right foot injury, an illness that still keeps him in the infirmary, the Canadiens captain was running a very good pace with 28 points (10 goals, 18 assists) in 25 games. He finished 23rd in NHL standings.
Like the team, Suzuki hit a wall. He has only ten points in his last 25 games (2 goals, 8 assists). Kirby Dach (14 points) and Caufield (13 points) both scored more frequently during this period.
Despite this rather drastic fall, Suzuki is trying to keep morale high.
“I want to play well, I want to be good over 200ft,” said the Ontarian. The production hasn’t been there lately. However, I had a few chances in my last few games. I missed an open goal in the last game in Ottawa (end of the 2nd period). I have to keep my confidence.”
“I’m not worried,” he continued. I’m still making games, making shots, but it’s not rolling the way I want it to. I would probably need to get a second pass on goal just to change the tempo a bit. I don’t want to cheat just to get obnoxious stats.”
A season of learning
Martin St-Louis also looked beyond the numbers.
“We’re talking about Suzie (Suzuki) but I’m happy with her development,” said the head coach. He’s a young player who’s been very busy this year. First, he’s our captain. Secondly, we live with several injuries within the team. Third, he’s playing against the top lines and getting big minutes on power play and power play. He has a lot of responsibility. He will get through this season and come out of it a better player.
The 23-year-old Suzuki is averaging 21:20 in his fourth NHL season. He is more than three minutes ahead of the second most used forward in the roof team (18 min 13 s).
Without Caufield
Caufield, with a right shoulder injury, will be out until the end of the season. In the Habs’ first four games without a No. 22, Suzuki got just one assist.
“It’s clearly a big change,” remarked the captain. But I have to bond with other players.
This season, Suzuki has played 568 five-a-side minutes with Caufield and 394 minutes with Dach. He now has to make do with Josh Anderson (142′), the winger replacing Caufield for the time being.
“It’s an adjustment when you don’t play with the same players anymore,” St-Louis recalled. Suzie is smart and he has enough talent to know how to use it. I’m not worried.”
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