Why Nick Suzuki Will Hit 100 Points

To reach 100 points, Suzuki will need to register 26 points in the Habs’ final 20 games of the season, which he seems very capable of doing, especially now that Juraj Slafkovsky is back on his line. Playing with Slafkovsky has historically helped lift Suzuki’s point totals, as the Slovak power forward does a lot of the dirty work that can help the captain get the puck in high-danger areas for prime scoring chances.

It may have only been two games so far since Slafkovsky has been reunited with both Suzuki and Cole Caufield, but it is evident that the trio’s chemistry picked up exactly where they left off, as they have combined for 6 goals and 14 points in those matchups. Now, the top line won’t see these players score 3 points every game moving forward, but they will continue to be a dominant force that can play a key role in getting the Canadiens a playoff berth for the 2nd straight year.

All three, Caufield, Suzuki, and Slafkovsky, have the clutch factor, which is why this time of the season is often the best version that we get to see of them. If Suzuki does hit 100 points this season, it wouldn’t just be an accomplishment for himself but also the linemates that helped him make it happen. We can’t forget that while Suzuki will be chasing down 100 points, Caufield will also be going after that elusive 50-goal mark. Meanwhile, for Slafkovsky, he has already smashed all his career highs and will become the all-time points leader for Habs under-22 players after tying Henri Richard’s 161 points on Saturday. With that being said, all three players could finish the season with huge milestones; it’s just for Suzuki and Caufield that the push will be much harder, but it’s definitely within reach.

Last season, Suzuki was the NHL’s 4th leading scorer from the Four Nations Tournament to the end of the season, where he put up 37 points in the final 26 games of the year. If he can produce at that pace over the final 20 games, he would record 28 points down the stretch, which would be enough to get past the 100-point threshold, as he’d finish the season with 102 points.

Just saying that Suzuki will finish the season with 100 points seems like a tall ask of him, but when looking deeper, it is entirely realistic, as his history of stepping up his game late in seasons is something that could get him over the hump. Besides, with Caufield and Slafkovsky also taking steps in their game, it helps him a lot as their line’s main playmaker. It will be an interesting end of the season for Suzuki.

Do you think Suzuki can reach the 100-point mark this season and become the first to do so in 40 years, or will he fall short?