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Nick Suzuki explained choosing to score on an empty net instead of passing to Cole Caufield as Montreal secured its sixth straight win.
Late in the game, one sequence drew attention on the ice.
Center Nick Suzuki took advantage of a turnover by Nikita Kucherov to head straight toward the empty net.
On the play, Cole Caufield was skating just behind him and was wide open to receive a pass and score into the empty net.
Many fans were likely hoping to see number 13 score his 48th goal of the season, but no.
That goal would have brought him significantly closer to Nathan MacKinnon in the Maurice Richard Trophy race, and to the 50-goal milestone.
Nick Suzuki addresses empty-net decision, explains choice to avoid risky pass to Cole Caufield
On social media, some fans criticized the captain’s decision.
However, Suzuki addressed the situation during his postgame media availability.
The captain explained that he simply feared causing another costly turnover by forcing an unnecessary pass to his teammate.
“Yeah, I mean, I, when I turned it over, I saw he was like behind me, and yeah, when I picked my head up, I just had a straight shot, and I didn’t really wanna mess around with it too much, but I’ll make it up to him.”
– Nick Suzuki
With a direct shooting lane to the open net, taking the shot clearly became the most logical decision for him.
Attempting an extra, more complex pass represented far too much risk in the final moments of such an important game.
Nick Suzuki quickly promised that he will do everything he can to make it up to Caufield.
Helping Cole Caufield reach the 50-goal milestone remains a major priority for the entire team.
Cole Caufield, 25, has 81 points in 73 games this season. He is a 5-foot-8 forward and a first-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens in 2019.
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Nick Suzuki addresses empty-net shot instead of pass to Cole Caufield vs. Lightning
Do you understand Nick Suzuki’s decision to shoot into the empty net instead of passing the puck to Caufield?