Key Highlights
- Olympics Ice Hockey tournament sees perfect record for Team Canada.
- Nick Suzuki might be the player to sit as Brad Marchand returns.
- Suzuki hasn’t thrived playing with MacKinnon and Hagel despite contributions from other players.
- Marchand’s return could mean a change in the lineup, possibly affecting Suzuki.
The Perfect Record Hides an Undercurrent of Change
Team Canada is rolling into the Olympics Ice Hockey round-robin play with a perfect record. It’s hard to find much to complain about after three games, but every successful team has a player who needs to take a seat eventually. That player might be Montreal Canadiens center Nick Suzuki as Brad Marchand returns to the lineup.
The MacKinnon Lineup Struggles
Through the first three games, 26-year-old Suzuki has scored just one goal while playing primarily with Colorado Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon and Tampa Bay Lightning’s Brandon Hagel. MacKinnon has shown two goals and five points, and Hagel added a goal but the chemistry seems off on that line. Even Connor McDavid found his best match in Celebrini, but MacKinnon hasn’t thrived with Suzuki and Hagel.
The Coaching Decision
Coach Jon Cooper wants to spread around the wealth, putting MacKinnon, McDavid, and Sidney Crosby on separate lines to maximize Canada’s depth. If that’s what he wants, finding the best wingers for MacKinnon is crucial. With Marchand ready to return after missing the last two games, Cooper might need to make a change. That player could be Seth Jarvis, who started as a healthy scratch but brings speed and flexibility.
Why Suzuki Could Be Left Out
Although Suzuki hasn’t been poor, his potential exit would be purely stylistic. At his best, Suzuki is a two-way center with playmaking skills. The roster construction forces him to play on the wing and in an offensive role. It feels like harsh criticism or an unfair punishment but given the nature of the tournament, it’s a move for the team’s benefit.
A Final Thought
One change that must occur is the MacKinnon line makeup. Each game now is an elimination game, with higher stakes and no room for MacKinnon’s 5-on-5 production and impact on the game to be lacking.