Habs Weekly: Suzuki’s Injury Overshadows a Strong Week

The Montreal Canadiens earned five of six possible points last week, but the stretch was marred by a hand injury to captain Nick Suzuki that will sideline him for two to four weeks. Montreal opened the week with a 4-3 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks before rebounding with a 4-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks and a 2-1 win against the Winnipeg Jets in the Heritage Classic.

Writer Brian La Rose argues that losing Suzuki, the team's top forward and center, forces the Canadiens to adjust their immediate expectations toward simply staying around .500 until he returns. Goaltender Jacob Fowler was named the NHL's Third Star of the Week after securing victories in both wins, while Owen Beck was recalled from Laval to bolster the forward group.