What Happened
Montreal has won five straight games since captain Nick Suzuki went down with a hand injury, and veteran forwards Jake Evans and Phillip Danault have taken on larger roles in his absence. Evans, normally a fourth-line centre, has two goals, three assists and a plus-11 rating while averaging 17:27 per game. Danault played his 800th NHL game on Saturday, when the Canadiens beat Pittsburgh 5-4 for their fifth consecutive win.
Key Details
- Evans has two goals, three assists and a plus-11 rating in five games without Suzuki.
- Evans is averaging 17:27 per game and has won 55.3 per cent of his face-offs in that stretch.
- Danault played his 800th NHL game on Saturday and has been logging close to 20 minutes a night.
- Montreal held two-goal third-period leads in all five wins and closed each out in regulation.
- Evans had an assist, won 11 of 16 draws and was plus-4 in the 5-4 win over Pittsburgh.
What It Means
The Canadiens have leaned on veterans to cover for the loss of their captain, with Evans moving up from the fourth line and Danault taking on heavier minutes. Young players such as Owen Beck have pointed to both as examples. Montreal has protected leads in each of the five wins, suggesting the team has managed Suzuki's absence without a drop in results.