In the hockey world, Montreal Canadiens’ captain Nick Suzuki is feeling the pressure. He is tired of seeing his talented teammates leave for Stanley Cup contenders every year, while the Canadiens have been stuck in a rebuild phase for the past three seasons. However, Suzuki is hopeful that this season will be different, as the team looks to make a playoff push.
“I don’t want to be sellers at the deadline. It’s been tough to be in that position the last couple of years,” Suzuki expressed at the Canadiens’ season-opening golf tournament. “We want to make the playoffs this year, get back to where we used to be.”
As the Canadiens gear up to open the 2024-25 season at home against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the pressure is on. The team has missed the playoffs for three consecutive seasons, a trend they are looking to break this year. But with strong contenders like Florida, Boston, Toronto, and Tampa Bay in the Atlantic Division, the road to the playoffs won’t be easy.
Last season, Montreal finished 28th overall with 76 points, falling 15 points short of a playoff spot. With teams like Ottawa, Buffalo, and Detroit also trying to move out of rebuild phases, the Canadiens have their work cut out for them.
The goal for the Canadiens, from ownership to management, is clear – they want to be in the mix for the playoffs and play meaningful games. Executive vice-president Jeff Gorton emphasized the team’s desire to compete at a high level this season.
“That’s where we want to be. I’m not going to put it past this team to make the playoffs. I know the players in that room feel really confident about their team,” Gorton stated.
The excitement around the Canadiens grew during training camp after the team acquired sniper Patrik Laine from the Columbus Blue Jackets. However, the buzz was dampened when Laine suffered a knee injury in a pre-season game, raising concerns among fans about his availability for the upcoming season.
As the Canadiens embark on a new season filled with hope and determination, the pressure is on Suzuki and his teammates to deliver results and make a return to the playoffs. Only time will tell if this is the year Montreal finally turns the corner in their quest for playoff success.
