The Montreal Canadiens will probably be effectively represented on the 4 Nations Face-Off however two of the group’s leaders weren’t chosen to their nation’s squads.
Captain Nick Suzuki (Canada) and main goal-scorer Cole Caufield (United States) weren’t named to the rosters introduced on Wednesday.
Chatting with reporters forward of Thursday’s recreation towards the Nashville Predators, Suzuki mentioned he was shocked Caufield wasn’t included on the American group however that each of them can use the choice as motivation for the rest of the season.
“I believed he had a very good shot at it, particularly with the season that he is been having,” Suzuki mentioned. “Kinda in the identical boat as me, so use it as gas for us shifting ahead right here.”
As a centre, Suzuki was at all times going to face stiff competitors for Staff Canada however he’s scoring at a point-per-game fee this season, with 26 factors in 25 video games. Caufield, with 16 objectives and 23 factors, leads all American gamers in objectives this season, however the U.S. group opted for extra skilled wingers to fill out its lineup.
Laine, who returned from a knee damage and made his season debut Tuesday, mentioned the prospect to play for his nation was an enormous honour.
“It is at all times actually cool to placed on that jersey. It is at all times a privilege to symbolize your nation,” Laine mentioned. “I did not like our odds on TV, so we’ll attempt to show some folks mistaken.”
