The Montreal Canadiens are currently enjoying a very good streak, despite their defeat against the Chicago Blackhawks last night.
CH has won six of its last eight games, while beating three teams that recently won the Stanley Cup.
The Habs will also have the chance to add another Stanley Cup winning team to their recent roster this evening, when they face the Colorado Avalanche starting at 7 p.m.
In short, this great sequence from CH allowed the team to move up the rankings quietly and put itself back in the famous “mix” which had been discussed so much before the start of the season.
Indeed, with all its recent victories, the Habs are back in the race for the playoffs, while they are currently three points from the last place giving access to the playoffs, which is currently occupied by the Ottawa Senators.
Martin St-Louis’ squad therefore finds itself in a position where it must continue to collect points and victories if it wants to remain in the race and quietly get closer to the playoffs.
And to do this, CH will really need the contribution of all its players, and therefore, not just the excellent fourth trio composed of Joel Armia, Jake Evans and Emil Heineman.
The best elements of the team will have to stand up more, and I am particularly targeting CH captain Nick Suzuki here.
Indeed, number 14 of CH has been more discreet lately, while he has not scored a goal in his last nine matches.
His last goal dates back to December 12 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, when CH lost 9 to 2.
Even if Suzuki has seven assists during this same nine-game streak, he needs to give more, in terms of goals.
The CH captain scored 33 goals last season, and currently, with his 11 goals in 38 games, Suzuki is on a pace of 23 goals and 79 points.
It’s not bad, and it would be his best career points haul, but in the end, we have the right to expect more from Suzuki.
Even if he has been close to points per game since the start of the season, Suzuki is more discreet and less dominant this season.
The poor performance of Kirby Dach and the departure of Sean Monahan clearly do not help the CH captain.
We see him less, and that’s why I believe it’s the perfect time for him to get up and give more in order to take his team to the next level, towards the playoffs.
Obviously, I don’t believe that CH will make the playoffs, but in the minds of the players, they must believe in it, and Suzuki must take the lead and set an example for his teammates.
If the captain gets up and performs like someone who believes in the playoffs, the CH could very well surprise us.
In short, Suzuki is due to score, and let’s hope that happens tonight.
In Burst
– Please note.
– What do you think?
– Not to be missed today.
