Suzuki Is A First Line Center

A couple of years ago, there were people arguing that Montreal Canadiens' captain Nick Suzuki would soon by overtaken in the team's center depth chart by Kirby Dach. Nowadays, nobody would consider making that argument.

Granted, he didn't make Team Canada's roster for the Four Nations Face-Off, but as things stand he is 13th in scoring amongst centers in the league. If that's not impressive enough for you, he also leads the league in overtime goals alongside Leon Draisaitl with four overtime goals and is 12th in game-winning goals with five.

When he was asked about being left off the Canadian team in early December, he said it would fuel linemate Cole Caufield and himself to be even better, and 40 days later, it's hard to say they didn't deliver. Since the roster was announced, the center has racked up three goals and 14 assists for 17 points in 17 games.

Related: Canadiens: Montembeault In, Suzuki Out

Furthermore, he's on pace for the best statistical season of his career with 84 points. Year after year, Suzuki keeps improving and there's no sign his progression will slow down. While this is not the most telling stat, his differential currently stands at plus-three, meaning he could potentially finish the year with a positive rating for the first time ever.

It's also worth noting that the Canadiens' captain has not missed a single game since the 2019-2020 season when he played in 71 contests. Suzuki has turned out to be quite the Iron Man for this team and is a picture of reliability, a must-have element of a first-line center's toolbox.

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