Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: Produces helper in shootout win
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Slafkovsky notched an assist and two hits in Monday's 3-2 shootout win over the Ducks.
The assist was Slafkovsky's first point over five games in December. The 20-year-old winger has gotten on the scoresheet in back-to-back games just twice this year, and he has four multi-point efforts -- that's offense in short bursts rather than on a consistent basis. Overall, he's at two goals, 13 helpers, 31 shots on net, 67 hits and a minus-8 rating through 25 appearances. Slafkovsky averaged nearly two shots per game and converted at 13.2 percent in a 20-goal, 50-point 2023-24, but this year, he's at 1.2 shots per game at a 6.5 percent conversion rate, which explains the bulk of his struggles.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: On scoresheet again
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Slafkovsky had an assist, one shot on net, one hit and four PIM in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Rangers.
Slafkovsky and Brendan Gallagher teamed up behind the New York goal to set up a Mike Matheson tally that tied the game at one goal apiece. The assist gave Slafkovsky points in two straight games; the forward snapped a 14-game goal-less run in Montreal's previous game. He was also involved in a melee late in the second period, picking up two roughing penalties among the seven penalties assessed to both teams. Slafkovsky is up to 14 points (just two goals), 24 shots, 53 hits, 17 blocks, 10 PIM and a minus-4 rating through 20 outings.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: Two-point night in win
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Slafkovsky scored a goal on one shot, had a power-play assist, recorded one block and meted out one hit in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime win over the Blue Jackets.
Slafkovsky had a much-needed effort, snapping a 14-game goal-less drought -- just his second goal of the season -- and sending Cole Caufield in on a breakaway with a pretty pass off the boards. Slafkovsky hadn't been on the scoresheet in five games and made some poor decisions recently that prompted shifts on the fourth line in each of the previous two games. The 20-year-old winger was given just 12 shifts and a season-low 11:29 TOI in Tuesday's overtime loss to Utah. However, head coach Martin St. Louis juggled the lines Wednesday, and Slafkovsky was back to getting top-six shifts. He should remain there Saturday, when the Canadiens are on the road against the Rangers.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: Collects three assists Monday
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Slafkovsky had three assists, including one on the power play, in a 7-5 victory against Buffalo on Monday.
Slafkovsky had the primary helper on two second-period goals by Nick Suzuki before setting up Cole Caufield's game-winning power-play tally in the third frame. The 20-year-old Slafkovsky didn't have a point in three games before Monday's breakout performance, and he logged a season-low 12:50 of ice time in Saturday's loss to Toronto. His performance in Monday's win should help him get back on track, especially if he stays on the top line.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: Practices Monday, feels fine
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Slafkovsky (head) practiced Monday after leaving Saturday's 3-1 loss to Pittsburgh early, Patrick Friolet of RDS reports.
Following Monday's on-ice session, Slafkovsky told reporters he underwent concussion protocol and feels fine, per Canadiens beat reporter Priyanta Emrith. The 20-year-old Slafkovsky should be in the lineup for Tuesday's matchup against Calgary. He has one goal, seven assists, 14 shots on net, 11 blocked shots and 31 hits through nine appearances this season. Barring a setback, he will play on the second line and see time on the top power-play unit versus the Flames.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: Leaves game late
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Slafkovsky was removed from Saturday's game against the Penguins late in the third period after taking a shot to the head, Erik Leijon of the Montreal Gazette reports.
The hit delivered by Pittsburgh's Noel Acciari occurred with just over three minutes left, as seen on SportsNet, and Slafkovsky's status is unclear. The incident led to Montreal seeking retribution, with Arber Xhekaj taking a run at Acciari as the horn sounded to end the game. Slafkovsky will have a couple of days to get right before Montreal hosts Calgary on Tuesday.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: Logs assist in return
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Slafkovsky had an assist, two shots and four hits in Tuesday's 8-2 loss to Seattle.
Slafkovsky returned from an upper-body injury that cost him three games. Instead of reuniting with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield on the top line, head coach Martin St. Louis left Kirby Dach on the first line and had Slafkovsky skate on the second line. That lasted all of one period, after which Montreal was down, 4-1. Slafkovsky rejoined his usual linemates from the second period on. The helper was Slafkovsky's sixth in seven outings.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: Ready to rock
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Slafkovsky (upper body) will return to the lineup Tuesday versus Seattle, per Kenzie Lalonde of TSN.
Despite reports suggesting otherwise, Slafkovsky clarified Tuesday morning that his injury was not a shoulder problem. He will return to a top-six role and should see power-play time. Slafkovsky has collected one goal, five assists, seven shots on net, 22 hits and nine blocked shots through six outings this campaign. Michael Pezzetta will be a healthy scratch versus the Kraken to make room for Slafkovsky's return to the lineup.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: Out at least one week
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Slafkovsky (shoulder) will be re-evaluated in a week, the Canadiens announced Tuesday.
Slafkovsky was hurt during Friday's practice. He still managed to play Saturday, but it seems he'll require some time on the shelf to recover. That interrupts his fantastic start to the campaign -- Slafkovsky has a goal and six points in six appearances in 2024-25. His absence might lead to Brendan Gallagher moving up to a top-six role.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: Status uncertain for Tuesday
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Head coach Martin St. Louis said Monday that Slafkovsky's (shoulder) status for Tuesday's game against the Rangers is uncertain, Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports.
Slafkovsky sustained a shoulder injury during Friday's practice session but was able to suit up for Saturday's game against the Islanders. He was effective, tallying two assists in the shootout loss, but it's not yet clear whether he'll be able to dress for Tuesday's home game.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: Expected to play Saturday
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Slafkovsky (shoulder) took line rushes in his normal first-line spot and is expected to play versus the Islanders on Saturday, Guillaume Lefrancois of La Presse reports.
Slafkovsky was hurt in Friday's practice but made the trip to New York. It doesn't appear the 20-year-old winger will miss any time. He has four points through five appearances, so fantasy managers should have him active if they normally would.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: Traveling to New York
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Slafkovsky (shoulder) will travel with the Canadiens to New York to face the Islanders on Saturday, but coach Martin St. Louis did not know if he would be able to play, Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports.
Slafkovsky injured his shoulder at morning practice and left the ice to be treated by the training staff. Slafkovsky has a goal and four points in five games this season, including a goal and an assist on the power play.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: Injured at practice Friday
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Slafkovsky left practice Friday after injuring his left shoulder, according to Patrick Friolet of RDS.ca.
Slafkovsky is off to a good start in 2024-25, scoring once and adding three assists in five appearances. He is playing on the top line, alongside Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki, as well as averaging 4:45 of ice time on the top power play. Should Slafkovsky be unavailable for Saturday's game against the Islanders, look for Joel Armia or Alex Newhook to move up to the first line.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: Scores on power play
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Slafkovsky scored a power-play goal, had three shots on net and doled out three hits in Monday's 6-3 loss to the Penguins.
Slafkovsky redirected a pretty pass from Nick Suzuki early in the second period that tied the game at 2-2. The tally was his first of the season and second power-play point. The power play was an Achilles' heel for the Canadiens last season, and they went 0-for-30 in the preseason, but the club has power-play tallied in all four games thus far in 2024-25. Slafkovsky has points in three of the first four contests and is up to 13 hits.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: Signs eight-year extension
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Slafkovsky signed an eight-year, $60.8 million contract extension with Montreal on Monday.
Slafkovsky still has one more season left on his entry-level deal before his new contract makes him much richer. The 20-year-old forward made plenty of progress in 2023-24, generating 20 goals and 50 points in 82 regular-season games. After all, Slafkovsky only had four tallies and 10 points in 39 appearances during his rookie campaign in 2022-23. He should see time on the top line and the first power-play unit in the upcoming season.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: First NHL hat trick
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Slafkovsky netted his first NHL hat trick Tuesday in a 9-3 win over the Flyers.
The first goal was a gift -- Mike Matheson's one-timer from the top of the slot went in off his skate in the first. Slafkovsky pushed the score to 2-0 in the second on a one-timer from the edge of the crease and completed the hat trick a couple minutes later on a breakaway to push the score to 4-0. Slafkovsky is the sixth Canadiens player ever to score a hat trick at age 20 or younger. Since March 9, the winger has been held off the scoresheet just twice in 15 games (six goals, 11 assists). File his name away for draft day 2024. The sophomore winger has 19 goals and 48 points with 147 shots in 78 games this season.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: Sets up power-play goal in loss
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Slafkovsky had a power-play assist, one shot on net and five hits in Saturday's 4-2 loss to Toronto.
Slafkovsky slid a no-look, backhand pass to Nick Suzuki, who buried a one-timer for Montreal's first goal. Slafkovsky is burnishing a breakout season with 14 points over the last 13 games. He needs five points over the final six games for a 50-point season.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: One of each in loss
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Slafkovsky had a goal on six shots, an assist and a hit in Thursday's 7-4 loss to the Lightning.
Both points came in the third period when Montreal attempted to mount a comeback. The recently turned 20-year-old Slafkovsky is finishing the season strong with 13 points over the last 12 contests.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: Streak rolls to eight
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Slafkovsky had an assist, two shots on net, three blocked shots and two hits in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Avalanche.
Slafkovsky directed the puck to the boards where Nick Suzuki won the battle and scored the first of Montreal's two opening-period tallies. The assist extended Slafkovsky's point streak to eight games -- his second eight-game streak this season -- during which he has two goals and seven assists.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: Streaks to five games
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Slafkovsky had an assist, two shots on net, three hits and two penalty minutes in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Oilers.
Slafkovsky picked up a primary assist when his pass deflected off Nick Suzuki's skate and into the net. It was the fifth consecutive game with a point for the 19-year-old Slafkovsky, who has a goal and five assists during that stretch. He's bounced back nicely from an eight-game stretch in which he had just one point, which is a sign of Slafkovsky's growth and confidence in his second NHL season.
