Nick Suzuki Hits 100-Point Milestone as Canadiens Eliminate Islanders
In a historic night at UBS Arena, Nick Suzuki etched his name into the Montreal Canadiens’ record books, surpassing 100 points for the first time in his NHL career. The milestone came during a dominant 4-1 victory over the New York Islanders on Sunday, April 12, 2026, a result that officially eliminated the Islanders from Stanley Cup Playoff contention.
A Historic Century Mark for Suzuki
Nick Suzuki’s performance on Sunday was a masterclass in offensive production. By recording a goal and an assist, Suzuki reached the 100-point plateau, finishing the night with 29 goals and 72 assists. This achievement places him in an elite group of only five players in the 108-year history of the Montreal Canadiens to record at least 100 points in a single season.
Suzuki joins the following legendary figures in this exclusive club:
- Guy Lafleur: Six times
- Peter Mahovlich: Two times
- Mats Naslund
- Steve Shutt
“As a little kid, you think of doing things like this, and that’s definitely special, especially with this organization,” Suzuki stated following the win, noting his pride in joining the group that came before him.
Game Breakdown: Canadiens Surge to Victory
The game remained tight early on, but Montreal broke through with a rapid offensive surge. Suzuki opened the scoring in the second period, tapping in a pass from Juraj Slafkovsky to beat Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin. This goal marked Suzuki’s 100th point of the season.
The momentum shifted decisively for the Canadiens in a “special minute” where they scored three goals in rapid succession:
- Nick Suzuki: Opened the scoring to reach the century mark.
- Ivan Demidov: The rookie scoring leader netted his 19th goal of the season after being found by Suzuki.
- Alex Newhook: Scored on an odd-man rush to deliver Montreal a 3-0 lead.
While Casey Cizikas managed to score for the Islanders midway through the third period, Zachary Bolduc scored late in the game to secure the 4-1 final score.
Rookie Debuts and Record-Tying Performances
Beyond Suzuki’s milestone, the game featured significant moments for Montreal’s young core. Defenseman David Reinbacher, selected 5th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, made his NHL debut after being recalled from Laval. Reinbacher recorded an assist and two shots on goal in 11:17 of ice time.
defenseman Lane Hutson provided critical playmaking support with two assists on the night. These contributions brought Hutson’s season total to 66 assists, tying the 1976-77 team record held by Larry Robinson for the most assists by a defenseman in a single season.
Key Game Statistics
| Player | Stat | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Nick Suzuki | 1 Goal, 1 Assist | Surpassed 100 points for the season |
| Lane Hutson | 2 Assists | Tied franchise record for defenseman assists (66) |
| Jacob Fowler | 30 Saves | Maintained a 4-1 victory |
| David Reinbacher | 1 Assist | First career NHL point in debut |
Key Takeaways
- Playoff Implications: The New York Islanders are officially eliminated from the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
- Historical Context: Nick Suzuki is the first Canadiens player to hit 100 points since Mats Naslund in 1985-86.
- Team Momentum: Montreal has won five of their last seven games, showcasing a strong surge late in the season.
As the Canadiens continue their current run of form, the emergence of rookies like Reinbacher and Demidov, coupled with Suzuki’s historic season, signals a promising trajectory for the organization.