A major Nick Suzuki injury update has emerged just hours before the Canadiens face Utah
Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Nick Suzuki is back in the Canadiens lineup tonight against Utah after missing six games, and the Habs captain returns right when they need him.
Habs fans can finally exhale. Nick Suzuki will play tonight against the Utah Mammoth at the Bell Centre, and the Canadiens made it official on X ahead of the 7 p.m. ET puck drop.
The captain has been out since Oct. 20, when he blocked a shot against the San Jose Sharks.
He had played all 82 games in each of the last five seasons, so this was unfamiliar territory.
Montreal first pegged his absence at two to four weeks, so getting him back after just over two weeks is a real boost for a team that has been leaning hard on everyone else.
Head coach Martin St-Louis gave the green light after Suzuki skated with his usual linemates, Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky.
He had been practising for days without clearance, so this one felt like a long time coming.
Why the timing matters
Suzuki was rolling before he got hurt, piling up five goals and 12 points in nine games.
The injury also ended his run of 546 straight games to start his career, the second longest among active NHL players.
Montreal went 5-1 without him, which speaks to the depth, but the Canadiens are now looking to bounce back from a late collapse in their most recent game.
Getting the top center back is the best medicine.
What else changes tonight
Kirby Dach also rejoins the lineup now that he is feeling better, while Owen Beck and Florian Xhekaj come out.
Jakub Dobes will start in goal. Expect Suzuki to slide right back onto the top line and the first power play unit, which should give the offense a much-needed jolt.
The Bell Centre crowd will be loud for this one.
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