Centres stabilize Canadiens in first game without Suzuki

The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1 on Friday at United Center, relying on strong collective play from their centers to overcome the absence of injured captain Nick Suzuki. Jake Evans led the offense with two goals and an assist, while Oliver Kapanen stepped onto the top line alongside Juraj Slafkovsky and Cole Caufield. Kaiden Guhle and Mike Matheson also scored for Montreal.

Head coach Martin St. Louis emphasized the predictable and balanced play of his four centers—Evans, Kapanen, Phillip Danault, and Alex Newhook—to navigate Suzuki's expected two-to-four-week absence with an upper-body injury. Montreal successfully protected a third-period lead, limiting Chicago to eight shot attempts in the final frame after previously blowing multi-goal advantages in three straight games.