The Montreal Canadiens’ top line, which includes Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki, has had a lot less pressure on them to score lately, thanks to the emergence of the 2nd line of Juraj Slafkovsky, Oliver Kapanen, and Ivan Demidov putting up regular offence. However, for the first time in a long time, it seems that Caufield and Suzuki are starting to slip up on their even-strength play. Even though Slafkovsky has moved to his own line and the Habs have yet to find the right fit to play with the top line duo, they should still be able to create offence between the two of them. It seems that without Slafkovsky around, they can’t get anything going lately.
Anyone who understands hockey could tell that despite only having 8 points in his first 20 games, Juraj Slafkovsky was playing extremely well and had been unlucky.
Now he has 18 points in his last 16 (8 in his last 4).
Without him, Caufield & Suzuki look incomplete.#GoHabsGo
— Joël (@RiseFromTheAshZ) December 29, 2025
Sure, both Caufield and Suzuki have picked up a couple of assists over their last few games. Excluding the matchup against the Boston Bruins last Tuesday, where they came out big in the 3rd period, there just hasn’t been any consistency to their overall game as of late. It should also be noted that both their goals came on the power play, which supports the argument that they are continuing to really struggle at even strength.
The best example to look at is Caufield’s even-strength goal-scoring. Earlier this season, he was among the top goal scorers at even strength, but he hasn’t scored at 5-on-5 in 8 games, which is very abnormal for the sniper. He has managed to produce a bit on the power play as well as a few assists here and there, but Caufield hasn’t looked the same for a while now. Caufield is also turning the puck over more than usual and looks less dynamic as a whole on the ice. With that being said, it has also taken a toll on Suzuki’s game as well.
The more you watch Suzuki’s linemates struggling around him this year, the more you realize that the captain may be a very good player, but he isn’t able to create much offence for himself to score this season. It seems like Caufield’s current goal slump also coincides with the fact that Suzuki can’t score on a breakaway or odd-man rush to save his life this season.
Nick Suzuki – Montreal Canadiens (11)
Power Play Goal pic.twitter.com/8cXsEpJaA8
— NHL Goal Videos (@NHLGoalVideos) December 24, 2025
He has struggled to put up points at a consistent rate at even strength. However, Suzuki seems to be able to register the majority of his points on the power play with Demidov on the ice helping to set plays up. Heading into Tuesday’s game against the Florida Panthers, 8 of his 14 points during the month of December have been on the man advantage, showing just how important the power play has been for Suzuki to record offence. As for the full season, Suzuki has 7 of his 11 goals on the power play as well as 20 of his 42 total points. This explains why we have barely seen Suzuki play his best hockey throughout the season, but he’s still recording points.
Really hope that Suzuki & Caufield don’t make the olympics, it’s not that they don’t arguably deserve it but good lord they look like they could use a nice long rest. They’ve both been awful for a prolonged time now. #GoHabsGo
— Myles Stuart (@MylesStuart23) December 29, 2025
One needs to wonder if Suzuki is still playing hurt because he looks extra slow on the ice lately. If not, something needs to change soon if the Canadiens want to have success, as they need Suzuki to be on his game for them to have long-term success. At the same time, if he is playing hurt, maybe he shouldn’t be invited to play for Team Canada at the Olympics so that he can rest for a playoff push.
As it stands, both Caufield and Suzuki have not been playing up to the standards that are expected of them lately, and they will need to have a big game soon.
Are you worried about Caufield and Suzuki’s play at 5-on-5?
