Welcome to the 100-goal club, Nick Suzuki

MONTREAL – Follow the leader is, for the Canadiens, walking in Nick Suzuki’s footsteps.

Not long ago, he was the rookie, and a promising one at that. Now, he’s the owner of 100 NHL goals – a feat the 24-year-old accomplished on March 5 against the Nashville Predators.

Since his first-ever tally on Oct. 17, 2019, Suzuki has built a home on the right flank of the Canadiens’ power play and paid his mortgage with a consistent scoring touch. Habs fans know he can shoot the puck and pick his corners – as demonstrated on his 100^th – but as the highlight reel shows, the Canadiens captain has a few “now you see me, now you don’t” tricks up his sleeves, too.

Recently, the Canadiens content team revisited the first 100 goals of Suzuki’s career and decided on his top-five craftiest markers thus far.

Nov. 11, 2021, against the Calgary Flames at the Bell Centre

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Jacob Markstrom stopped Suzuki’s first bank shot attempt earlier in the game, but the Canadiens captain gets the last laugh with this game-winning carom shot.

Oct. 15, 2022, against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena

The London, ON native’s first goal with the “C” on his chest comes on a brilliant individual effort in Washington, eluding a defender behind the net and wrapping it home on a spin-o-rama move.

Oct. 20, 2022, against the Arizona Coyotes at the Bell Centre

Cue the “Slick Nick” nickname. It doesn’t get much slicker than this Datsyukian-like penalty shot attempt from last season.

Editor’s note: In-game penalty shots count toward official goal totals; post-regulation shootout attempts do not.

Nov. 12, 2022, against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Bell Centre

No. 14 has Kris Letang doing the helicopter with a nifty move in tight, then plays give-and-go with Kirby Dach to tie the game against the Penguins.

April 12, 2023, against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena

Shorthanded. On one knee. One-handed backhand. Top shelf where Mama hides the cookies.

Does it get any better than this Suzuki goal-of-the-year candidate?

There we have it, folks. And imagine, that’s without arguably his most memorable goal – a playoff marker that didn’t contribute toward his official 100 count – in overtime of Game 5 in the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Here’s to 100 more, Cap.