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The Montreal Canadiens have faced their fair share of challenges this season, but the disappointing 3-2 overtime loss to the Seattle Kraken last night has left a bitter taste in the mouths of both fans and players alike. Despite a resilient effort, the Canadiens were unable to close out the game in regulation and ultimately fell in overtime, extending their struggles to maintain consistency. One player, in particular, had strong words to say following the game — a player who, given his hefty contract and high expectations, is no stranger to criticism and scrutiny.

That player is none other than $60.8 million forward, Nick Suzuki, whose five-year, $63 million contract, signed in 2022, was designed to make him the cornerstone of Montreal’s rebuilding process. Following the disappointing overtime loss to the Kraken, Suzuki didn’t mince his words, sending a message loud and clear: “We can’t let games like this slip away.”

Suzuki’s post-game comments were a reflection of both frustration and the acknowledgment of an opportunity lost. The Canadiens were in a strong position to win the game, but lapses in execution and missed opportunities in key moments ultimately cost them the two points. Let’s break down Suzuki’s comments and the broader implications of this game on the Canadiens’ season moving forward.

A Disappointing Loss in Overtime

It wasn’t a game devoid of effort or intensity. In fact, the Canadiens played a competitive game against the Seattle Kraken, a team that has been on an upswing in the Western Conference this season. Montreal held a 2-1 lead heading into the third period, and with just under five minutes remaining, it appeared that they were on the verge of securing a crucial victory. However, a late-game breakdown allowed the Kraken to score the equalizer and push the game into overtime.

In the extra frame, the Canadiens failed to generate much offense and were eventually caught on a defensive breakdown, leading to a game-winning goal from Kraken forward Jaden Schwartz. The overtime loss left the Canadiens with one point instead of two, and the frustration from Suzuki was palpable in his post-game comments.

“We were in control of that game,” Suzuki said in a blunt interview after the loss. “We had the lead late, and we just couldn’t close it out. In this league, those points are critical, and we can’t let games like this slip away.”

The Canadiens have been battling for a playoff spot all season long, and every point matters, especially as the trade deadline approaches. The overtime loss was a hard pill to swallow for a team that has shown flashes of improvement but still struggles with consistency. Suzuki’s words are a clear reminder that the team needs to learn how to close out games, something that has plagued the Canadiens at times this season.

The Weight of Expectations for Suzuki

As the team’s captain and highest-paid player, Suzuki’s performance and leadership are central to the Canadiens’ success. When the Canadiens inked Suzuki to a massive eight-year, $63 million extension in September 2022, they made it clear that he was the player they were going to build around moving forward. Suzuki’s vision, playmaking ability, and leadership qualities have been evident in his time with the Canadiens, but the pressure on him to be the team’s offensive engine has been immense.

At 24 years old, Suzuki is entering the prime years of his career, and his performance will be crucial in the team’s rebuilding efforts. In a season that has been filled with highs and lows, Suzuki has shown flashes of brilliance. However, consistency has remained an issue for both him and the team as a whole. Games like the one against the Kraken are particularly frustrating for a player of Suzuki’s caliber. As the centerpiece of the franchise, he understands the significance of every missed opportunity and knows that these types of games cannot be allowed to slip through the cracks.

“Not just me, but as a team, we need to be better in those moments,” Suzuki continued. “We’ve been in situations where we’ve had games in hand and let them slip away. That’s something we need to change. We can’t be happy with moral victories.”

Suzuki’s emphasis on “not being happy with moral victories” is an important point. The Canadiens have had a difficult road since their run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2021, and the rebuilding process has been slow. The team has shown potential, particularly with young players like Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky, but they are still a work in progress. Suzuki’s frustration is understandable. For a team that’s in transition, a player like him is expected to set the standard, not only in terms of production but also in terms of leadership and mentality. Games like the one against the Kraken are opportunities that cannot be squandered.

Closing Out Games: A Consistent Issue for Montreal

The Canadiens’ inability to close out games has been a recurring theme this season. While there have been notable victories, Montreal has also allowed too many late-game collapses to dictate the outcome of important matches. The team’s defense has been one of the key areas of concern. Despite improvements in areas like offense and special teams, the Canadiens’ ability to manage the game in crucial moments remains a work in progress.

In this particular game against the Kraken, the Canadiens’ defense was uncharacteristically loose in the final minutes of the third period. It was a missed opportunity for the team to seal the deal, and those kinds of lapses have cost them precious points in the standings.

“Execution in those key moments is everything,” Suzuki noted. “We can’t afford to make mistakes when it matters most, especially against a team like Seattle who’s been playing well. You give them an inch, and they’ll take a mile. We have to be better at finishing games.”

This statement highlights the team’s awareness of their shortcomings but also reflects the critical need for growth in key areas, particularly defensively. The Canadiens need to figure out how to tighten up their play when the game is on the line. Whether it’s locking down a lead in the third period or avoiding costly turnovers in overtime, Montreal has to find ways to be more disciplined in high-pressure situations.

The Road Ahead for the Canadiens

Looking ahead, the Canadiens are facing a tough road to climb if they want to secure a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The team has young players who are capable of taking the next step in their development, but they need the leadership of Suzuki and other veterans to help carry them through tough stretches like the one they are experiencing right now.

The Canadiens’ remaining schedule is filled with tough opponents, and every game becomes a must-win scenario for a team on the bubble. While Suzuki’s frustration is understandable, it also reflects the hunger and desire to succeed. The team’s leaders are not satisfied with moral victories—they want results. In order to achieve those results, they will need to fix their consistency issues and learn how to close out games.

The message from Suzuki after the overtime loss is clear: the Canadiens cannot afford to let these types of games slip away any longer. As one of the highest-paid players in the league, Suzuki is expected to lead by example, both on and off the ice. The time for moral victories is over. If Montreal is going to make a push for the postseason, they must learn to finish games, avoid defensive breakdowns, and play with the composure necessary to thrive in crunch-time moments.

Conclusion

After the disappointing 3-2 overtime loss to the Seattle Kraken, Nick Suzuki’s post-game comments echoed the frustration of a player who knows that the team has more potential than what they’ve been showing. As the highest-paid player on the team, he understands that the weight of expectations comes with the responsibility of leading the team to better results. The Canadiens have a lot to work on, particularly in closing out games, but Suzuki’s leadership and no-nonsense approach to the situation suggest that he’s ready to lead his team toward the consistency they need to succeed.

For the Canadiens, the road to the playoffs may still be attainable, but they’ll need to take Suzuki’s words to heart and ensure that games like the one against the Kraken do not continue to slip away. The clock is ticking, and every point matters as the season moves forward.