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Nick Suzuki is the first Montreal Canadien in 40 years to reach 100 points in a season.
Suzuki beat goalie Ilya Sorokin at 15:56 of the second period to give Montreal a 1-0 lead Sunday against the hometown New York Islanders, making him the first Canadiens captain in the storied franchise’s history to hit the century mark.
The milestone comes just three days after Suzuki set up linemate Cole Caufield for his 50th goal, something no Montreal player had achieved in 36 years.
Suzuki is only the fifth Canadien to join the 100-point club after Guy Lafleur, Peter Mahovlich, Steve Shutt and Mats Naslund. Naslund was the last to do it with 110 points in 1985-86.
Suzuki added an assist on Ivan Demidov’s power-play goal 28 seconds later to push his total to 101.
A 26-year-old from London, Ont., Suzuki has 29 goals and 72 assists in 81 games this season, all while making a case for the Selke Trophy as the NHL’s best defensive forward.
The Canadiens, bound for the playoffs for a second straight year, are in a race for first in the Atlantic Division with the regular-season calendar ending. They entered Sunday night’s game with 104 points, two behind the Buffalo Sabres for first in the division.
WATCH | Suzuki talks about the ‘honour and privilege’ of being Canadiens captain:
The Habs’ 31st and youngest-ever captain is presented to the media at the team’s annual golf tournament.
