Nick Suzuki put on a clinic Thursday night at the Bell Centre, netting two goals and an assist as the Canadiens rolled to a 7-3 win over the Colorado Avalanche - who, in a nod to nostalgia, were decked out in Quebec Nordiques throwback sweaters. It was a statement win for Montreal, not just because of the scoreline, but because of who they did it against.
Let’s not forget, the last time these two teams met, it was Colorado who lit up the scoreboard, hanging a touchdown and extra point on the Habs. This time, Montreal flipped the script - and then some - in their final home game before the Olympic break.
The Avalanche may still sit comfortably atop the NHL standings, but they’ve hit a bit of turbulence lately. With a 2-4-2 record over their last eight games, there’s some reason for concern in Denver. Thursday’s loss only added to that trend, and it came at the hands of a Canadiens squad that looked fast, sharp, and fully engaged.
Montreal wasted no time setting the tone. Just 57 seconds into the game, Noah Dobson jumped in from the blue line and buried his 10th of the season, continuing his remarkable consistency - he’s now hit double digits in goals for five straight seasons.
For a defenseman, that’s elite territory. Dobson doesn’t just eat minutes - he contributes in a big way offensively, and he showed that again with a perfectly timed pinch that caught the Avalanche flat-footed.
Colorado responded quickly, as Brock Nelson evened things up with his 28th of the year. It was a beauty - a laser of a release that beat netminder Samuel Montembeault clean. But that would be the lone blemish on an otherwise strong night for the Canadiens’ goalie, who settled in nicely after that early strike.
From there, it was all Habs. Suzuki led the charge, showing off the kind of poise and playmaking that’s made him the heartbeat of this team.
Whether he was finishing plays or creating them, the captain looked in complete control. His chemistry with the top line continues to grow, and when he’s playing with this much confidence, Montreal becomes a much tougher out.
This wasn’t just a win - it was a response. A response to their last meeting with Colorado.
A response to a team that’s been dominant all season. And a response that sends the Canadiens into the Olympic break with a surge of momentum.
For the Avalanche, the loss doesn’t shake their spot at the top of the league, but it does raise some questions. With eight games of uneven play now in the books, they’ll need to use the break to reset and refocus.
Meanwhile, for Montreal, it’s a win that feels bigger than just two points. It’s a reminder of what this team is capable of when everything clicks - and a warning to the rest of the league that they’re not just here to compete. They’re here to win.