Nick Suzuki is doing something we haven’t seen in Montreal in nearly three decades - and he’s making it look easy.
In Thursday night’s win over the Colorado Avalanche, the Canadiens’ captain became the fastest Hab to hit 60 points in a season since Pierre Turgeon reached that mark in just 54 games back in 1995-96. That’s not just a stat - it’s a statement. For a franchise that’s built its modern identity around goaltending and grit, Suzuki’s offensive surge feels like a turning point.
Let’s put this in perspective. Canadiens fans have long been treated to elite goaltending, especially during the Carey Price era, but offensive fireworks have been few and far between.
In fact, over the last 17 years, there have been entire seasons where no Canadiens player even cracked 60 points. That’s not a knock - it’s just the reality of how this team has operated: defense-first, grind-it-out hockey.
But Suzuki is changing that narrative. With 62 points in 54 games, he’s pacing for a 94-point season - which would top his previous career high of 89 set just last year.
If he keeps this up, he’ll become the first Hab to hit 90 points since both Turgeon and Vincent Damphousse did it in that same 1995-96 campaign. That’s rare air in Montreal.
And he’s not doing it alone. Lane Hutson and Cole Caufield are both right there with him, with 55 and 54 points respectively.
Hutson is on pace for 84 points, Caufield for 82. If all three maintain this trajectory, the Canadiens could have three 80-point scorers in a single season for the first time since their 1992-93 Stanley Cup-winning squad - when Damphousse, Kirk Muller, Brian Bellows, and Stephan Lebeau all hit or passed that milestone.
That’s the kind of company this trio is keeping.
To really appreciate how far this team has come, let’s rewind to the beginning of the Price era. Since 2007-08, here’s a snapshot of the Canadiens’ yearly points leaders:
- Alex Kovalev: 84 and 65
- Tomas Plekanec: 70 and 57
- Max Pacioretty: 65, 60, 67, 64, 67 (plus 39 in the lockout-shortened season)
- Brendan Gallagher: 54
- Max Domi: 72
- Tomas Tatar: 61
- Tyler Toffoli: 44 (in a 56-game season)
- And then finally, Suzuki took over in 2021-22 with 61 points
Since then, Suzuki has been the guy - 66 points in 2022-23, 77 in 2023-24, 89 last season, and now on pace to break into the 90s. That’s steady growth from a player who’s evolved into one of the most complete two-way centers in the league. He’s not just producing - he’s leading.
And the team around him is finally matching that energy. Through 54 games, the Canadiens have scored 187 goals - more than any team in the Eastern Conference and third overall in the NHL, trailing only Colorado (203) and Edmonton (190).
That’s not a fluke. That’s a team that’s finally leaning into an up-tempo, offense-first identity.
When Kent Hughes took over as GM, he talked about building a fast, skilled, attack-minded roster. Well, this is what that vision looks like in action. Montreal is no longer just trying to win 2-1 - they’re coming at you in waves, with young talent, speed, and creativity.
So what does this all mean? It means the Canadiens are turning a corner.
Suzuki’s rise isn’t just about personal milestones - it’s about a shift in what this team is capable of. For the first time in a long time, Montreal isn’t just surviving offensively - they’re thriving.
And if this is just the beginning of the ride, Canadiens fans might want to buckle up.