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The Montreal Canadiens have been hit with a significant setback: captain Nick Suzuki will be sidelined for two to four weeks due to an upper-body injury. The team confirmed the news on October 22, adding Suzuki to a growing list of unavailable players that already includes two forwards, a defenseman, and a goaltender.
The injury occurred during a Tuesday night game against the San Jose Sharks when Suzuki blocked a shot in the third period. The puck struck his hand, and he was visibly in pain on the bench afterward.
Suzuki is the driving force behind the Canadiens, contributing in every facet of the game. With him out, the team must find a way to elevate its performance collectively.
Last season, Suzuki was awarded the Selke Trophy as the NHL's top defensive forward after posting a +37 rating and blocking 62 shots, which ranked 25th among all forwards. He also won over 50% of his faceoffs, helping the Canadiens to a team faceoff win percentage above 52%. His two-way play is irreplaceable, but Montreal will lean on other defensively responsible forwards.
Jake Evans, who finished top-ten among forwards in shorthanded time on ice last season, will shoulder more responsibility. He was part of a penalty kill that surrendered only 54 power-play goals in 248 shorthanded situations and scored two shorthanded goals last year, following a three-goal campaign the year before. This season, Evans ranks fourth among Montreal forwards in shorthanded ice time through nine games.
Center Phillip Danault, entering his 15th NHL season, provides veteran stability and defensive poise. He ranks sixth among forwards in shorthanded time and owns a 53.2% career faceoff win percentage, making him a trusted option for head coach Martin St. Louis in crucial draws. The Canadiens will need to distribute these defensive duties carefully.
Offensively, Suzuki's absence leaves a massive void. He recorded a career-high 101 points last season, becoming the first Canadiens captain to reach 100 points in a season and the franchise's first 100-point player since Mats Naslund in 1986. He was also the first Selke winner to hit 100 points since Sergei Fedorov in 1996. Suzuki leads Montreal forwards in average ice time at 21:47 per game and had already amassed 12 points and five goals in nine games this season.
Suzuki drives much of the Canadiens' offense, particularly on the power play, where he led the team with 43 power-play points last year. The man advantage, which ranked 10th in the league last season, has been slow to start this year. Linemates Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky will need to step up. Caufield finished second on the team in scoring with 88 points and 51 goals, while Slafkovsky posted a career-high 73 points.
In Suzuki's absence, the Canadiens have been practicing with 23-year-old Oliver Kapanen centering the top line. Kapanen, who had 37 points and 22 goals last season as a rookie (third among rookie goal scorers), is familiar with the role, having played alongside Slafkovsky last year. The offensive hole is daunting, but Montreal will do its best to fill it.
Key Analysis
Suzuki's durability has been remarkable; he had never missed a game in his seven-year career, playing 546 consecutive games since his debut in October 2019. His ironman streak ends, and the Canadiens will play without their captain for the first time. Lane Hutson, who has played 175 consecutive games, becomes the team's new ironman. Hutson, who finished third on the team in scoring last season with 78 points, leads the Canadiens in ice time this season and will take on even more responsibility.
The Canadiens hope to get Mike Matheson and Ivan Demidov back soon, as both have missed time this season. If Montreal can stick to its team game, it can weather this storm. The young group faces its biggest challenge yet, but a slight break in the schedule—their next division game isn't until November 7—gives them a chance to collect points on their Central Division road trip and build momentum. As Slafkovsky put it: "(Hopefully) we win games when he's not playing so he comes back and we're in a good spot."
Originally reported by yahoo.