What Happened
Playing without captain Nick Suzuki, who is expected to miss two to four weeks with an upper-body injury, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1 at United Center on Friday. Jake Evans led the way with two goals and an assist. Connor Bedard opened the scoring for Chicago before Montreal's depth at centre took over. The Canadiens improved to 5-3-2, while the Blackhawks dropped to 3-7-0.
Key Details
- Suzuki is out two to four weeks with an upper-body injury.
- Evans recorded two goals and one assist in the win.
- Montreal moved to 5-3-2; Chicago fell to 3-7-0.
- Bedard scored Chicago's lone goal on an odd-man rush.
- Danault's line led the NHL in expected-goals percentage among lines with 65-plus minutes.
- Newhook centres a line with Anderson and Kreider.
What It Means
Suzuki, a 100-point centre and reigning Selke Trophy winner, leaves a significant hole, but Montreal's centre depth allowed the team to absorb his absence in the first game. Phillip Danault's line has posted strong underlying numbers, and Evans, Newhook and Kapanen give coach Martin St. Louis predictable two-way options. The result came against a struggling Chicago team, but it followed a game in which Montreal blew a two-goal third-period lead.
What's Next
The Canadiens must continue without Suzuki for the remainder of his two-to-four-week recovery, relying on their centre group to sustain the level of play shown against Chicago.