The Montreal Canadiens enter the playoffs with improved balance and a roster that’s clicking, yet a sudden practice absence raised fans’ concerns for a day. Captain Nick Suzuki missed practice on Thursday, which was alarming given the absence came just days before Game 1 of the NHL playoffs.
This concern has now been resolved, offering a definitive update on Suzuki’s availability for the start of the playoffs.
Insider Shares Reason Behind Nick Suzuki’s Pre-Playoff Absence
Suzuki’s reason for his absence is now public, and the explanation had nothing to do with injury or lineup concerns. Canadiens insider Marc Antoine Godin shared that Suzuki missed practice because he had just become a father.
The captain later confirmed the news himself, stating, “My wife gave birth on Wednesday. I got a baby girl now. Pretty special. That’s why I missed practice yesterday.”
The timing of the moment stood out, as the birth of his daughter, Maya, came on April 15, just days before Montreal begins its first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Suzuki addressed the media on April 17, making it clear that his absence was purely personal and tied to a major life event. The update quickly removed any doubt about his availability moving forward.
This development comes at the end of a standout season for Suzuki, who led Montreal with 101 points and played a central role in the team’s rise to 106 points. His performance marked a major step in his career, as he became the first Canadiens captain to reach the 100-point mark in a single season. He also joined a short list of franchise players to hit that level, showing his impact.
Montreal’s rise this season shows that progress clearly. After finishing with 91 points in 2024-25 and 76 the year before, the Canadiens took a clear step forward this season. Their offense produced 3.40 goals per game, while their structure helped them stay competitive defensively. Suzuki’s consistency remained a major part of that progress, as he continued his iron-man run by playing all 82 games for the fifth straight season.
Off the ice, Suzuki’s personal life has followed a similar upward path. He and Caitlin Fitzgerald, who have been together since high school, got married in the summer of 2025 and announced their pregnancy later that year. This new chapter in their lives comes at a crucial moment in the hockey calendar.
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The Canadiens finished third in the Atlantic Division and are set to face Tampa Bay starting April 19. Suzuki will now return to full participation after the brief absence, keeping Montreal’s top line intact alongside Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky.
With their captain back practicing, Montreal will plan to tackle the Lightning’s top line when the first round of the playoffs begins.
