Connect with us

Montreal Canadiens

GOTTA SEE IT: Canadiens Slafkovsky Scores First Hat Trick

Published

3 weeks ago

on

Montreal Canadiens Juraj Slafkovsky

The Montreal Canadiens aren’t vying for a playoff spot this season, but there are important factors within the rebuilding season that will have a long-term impact on the team’s Stanley Cup aspirations. One of those factors is the play of the youngest player in the lineup, Juraj Slafkovsky.

While the first half of the season led to underwhelming results from the 20-year-old, the second half has seen him put together a bevy of great plays, to the point that he’s now considered one of the most potent scoring threats in the lineup.

His evolution was on full display on Tuesday as the Canadiens hosted the Philadelphia Flyers at the Bell Centre. Slafkovsky managed to score his first career hat trick, pushing his season total to 19 goals. It should be noted he’s the second youngest player to score a hat trick in franchise history.

The first goal came via a well-established net-front presence for which the Flyers had no answer.

Slafkovsky then followed it up by completing a very nice passing play midway through the second period.

As has often been the case this season, Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki and defenceman Mike Matheson were crucial in the scoring play.

The third goal was perhaps the nicest of the three, as Slafkovsky capitalized on a breakaway opportunity just a few moments later.

Of course, there are no points for style when it comes to scoring in the NHL. They don’t ask how they only ask how many, but it is interesting to see Slafkovsky using various means to make a positive impact. The variety in his shot selection is yet another encouraging aspect of his evolution.

As a reminder, Slafkovsky is still among the youngest players in the league despite participating in his second NHL season. It may be a cliche, but it’s probably a safe bet to say the best is yet to come for this Montreal Canadiens forward.

Related Topics:
4 Comments
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

4 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Dana

First of many. He’s 20 and playing like the man he is

2
Reply
Ghg55

His development has been so impressive. So excited to have this kid. And you’re absolutely right that he’s playing like a man! “Kid” just emphasizes the amount of growth he can still achieve which is what’s so fun about this. There’s still soooo much left. Imagine when caufield is back to himself for a full season. Or if Dach and Roy can stay healthy and we have a legit second line to grab attention. Or when Hutson, Mailloux, and reinbacher make it to the big club and our D core really takes shape…. On top of the crazy development slaf will have on his own, he’s going to benefit from ALL of that too…. It’s still early, but “Rantanen” really is a possibility, just his own version of it.

1
Reply
Dana

Absolutely correct! Rantanen is a decent comp, but honestly I think Slav is a better skater. Go Habs Go

0
Reply
Tyrone

I loved that all 3 goals were scored 3 different ways, and that it was a “legit” hat trick where there was a goalie in net for all the goals. So many hat tricks today occur with the 3rd goal coming into an empty net. It’s great to see Slafkovsky score a “real” hat trick for his first. I was just hoping for Dvorak and Gallagher to also get a hasty since it would have also pushed us past double digits in goals in the game. That really would have been something to have 3 guys get hat tricks in the same game. I bet that hasn’t happened much in NHL history.

0
Reply