With a Heavy Heart, Nick Suzuki Triumphs: Canadiens Captain Leads Team to Victory Just Hours After Losing His Grandmother…Read more..

With a Heavy Heart, Nick Suzuki Triumphs: Canadiens Captain Leads Team to Victory Just Hours After Losing His Grandmother…Read more…

Montreal, QC — On a night when emotions ran deeper than the usual intensity of playoff hockey, Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki gave fans, teammates, and the hockey world a reason to stand in awe—not just for his performance on the ice, but for the strength of his character in the face of personal grief.

Hours before puck drop at the Bell Centre, Suzuki received devastating news: his beloved grandmother, with whom he shared a close and influential bond, had passed away unexpectedly. Despite the heartbreak, Suzuki made the brave decision to suit up and lead his team into Game 5 of their playoff series against the Boston Bruins—a crucial game that could turn the tide of the series.

And lead he did.

With a heavy heart but unwavering determination, the 25-year-old captain delivered one of the most memorable performances of his young career, scoring a goal, notching two assists, and inspiring a 4–2 victory over their Original Six rivals. As the final horn sounded, the normally composed and stoic Suzuki raised his stick to the rafters, eyes glistening, and pointed to the sky—a gesture that said everything without a single word.

A Quiet Grief, A Loud Response

The Canadiens’ coaching staff and management left the decision to play up to Suzuki. Head coach Martin St. Louis, himself a man known for his fierce will and emotional intelligence, said post-game that no one would have questioned Suzuki had he chosen to sit out.

“We told Nick, ‘Family comes first. Take whatever time you need,’” St. Louis explained. “But he just looked at me and said, ‘I need to do this—for her.’ And honestly, I’ve never been more proud of a player in my life.”

Suzuki, normally soft-spoken and reserved in front of the media, addressed the press following the game, visibly emotional but composed.

“She was everything to me,” Suzuki said, his voice trembling. “From driving me to practices as a kid to calling me after every game, no matter how late… she believed in me more than anyone. I felt her out there with me tonight.”

More Than Just a Game

The Canadiens, trailing 2–1 in the series entering Game 5, needed a spark. Boston had bullied their way through Games 2 and 3, outmuscling the Habs and pushing them to the brink. But from the first shift of the game, it was clear that Montreal was playing for something greater than strategy or statistics.

“It wasn’t just about hockey anymore,” said winger Cole Caufield, Suzuki’s longtime linemate and close friend. “We saw what Nick was going through. We felt it. And we rallied around him. He’s our leader, our heartbeat, and tonight, we played for him.”

The Canadiens came out flying in the first period, and it was Suzuki who opened the scoring midway through the frame. Picking up a loose puck at center ice, he danced through two Boston defenders and beat goaltender Jeremy Swayman with a quick wrist shot high glove side. He didn’t celebrate—he simply looked up, raised a single finger to the heavens, and skated back to the bench.

“That goal gave us life,” said defenseman Kaiden Guhle. “But more than that, it reminded us who we’re playing for—not just the logo on the front, but each other.”

A Night of Moments

While Suzuki’s first-period goal made headlines, his performance throughout the night went far beyond the scoresheet. On the power play, he set up Caufield for a crucial second-period goal with a no-look backhand pass that seemed to defy physics. Later, he won a pivotal faceoff in the defensive zone and cleared the puck to seal the win with under a minute remaining.

Between whistles, fans at the Bell Centre—some already aware of Suzuki’s personal loss via social media—chanted his name, their voices echoing with support and admiration. By the third period, every shift Suzuki took was met with a standing ovation.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” said veteran Brendan Gallagher. “This city loves him. And tonight, they loved him even harder because they saw him hurting and still carrying us.”

A Grandmother’s Legacy

Suzuki’s bond with his grandmother, Mariko Tanaka, was well-known among teammates and fans. A second-generation Japanese-Canadian, Tanaka instilled in Suzuki a deep sense of cultural pride, work ethic, and humility. Growing up in London, Ontario, Suzuki often spoke of how his grandmother kept him grounded—even as scouts began buzzing about his potential as an NHL star.

“She was tough, but loving,” Suzuki once said in a 2022 feature for The Players’ Tribune. “She taught me to never forget where I come from and always stay humble. If I got cocky, she’d remind me real quick.”

Her influence extended into his professional life as well. Tanaka was reportedly a regular at Canadiens home games and frequently traveled to away games, proudly wearing her custom “Suzuki 14” jersey. According to sources close to the family, she had recently fallen ill but had kept her condition private to avoid distracting her grandson during the playoffs.

“She didn’t want him to worry,” said a family friend. “She was so proud of him, and she wanted him to focus on chasing the Cup.”

Resilience, Redefined

In the world of professional sports, athletes are often praised for their toughness—their ability to play through pain, to deliver under pressure, to silence critics with clutch performances. But what Suzuki demonstrated in Game 5 transcended physical grit. It was a show of emotional resilience, of grace under unimaginable pressure, and of love that goes far beyond the confines of the rink.

“I don’t know how he did it,” said St. Louis. “To play like that—with that kind of weight on your heart—it’s something only special people can do.”

As the Canadiens now head to Boston for Game 6 with the series tied 2–2, the momentum has shifted dramatically. But regardless of how the series unfolds, Suzuki’s performance in Game 5 will go down in franchise lore—not merely for the win, but for the meaning behind it.

The Final Word

In sports, there are moments that rise above the standings, the stats, and even the spectacle. Nick Suzuki’s triumph on May 9, 2025, was one of those moments.

It wasn’t about the goal, the assists, or even the win.

It was about heart.

It was about family.

It was about showing up for those you love, even when your world is crumbling.

As Suzuki left the ice, alone for a moment after teammates had filed into the tunnel, he turned once more toward the rafters, kissed his glove, and waved gently upward.

For Mariko.

For love.

For legacy.

And for a city that will never forget.