Montreal Canadiens: Juraj Slafkovsky Fits In Perfectly On Top Line

The Montreal Canadiens second line has been a real sore spot for the team, and with Christian Dvorak returning it was time for a change.

During warmups ahead of their battle with the St Louis Blues, Juraj Slafkovsky slotted in with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. Something had to give with the second line, I must admit I felt patience would be best. But the whole line looked like they were lacking confidence.

Alex Newhook and Josh Anderson slot in on either of Dvorak’s wings on the third line. The veteran line of Brendan Gallagher, Sean Monahan and Tanner Pearson slides up to the second line. But the most interesting move is that of Slafkovsky climbing up the lineup.

Slafkovsky should benefit a ton from playing with a smart center like Suzuki. Second, having Caufield making plays and creating opportunities for Slaf should do wonders for the 19-year-old Slovakian’s confidence. He likes to rush the puck and use his large frame to push back defenders and open space for his linemates, which is exactly what Suzuki and Caufield need.

It’s obviously a huge opportunity for Slafkovsky, but this will give him a chance to get some reps. He did struggle in the team’s first ten games, but to totally put the weight of that on his shoulders wouldn’t be far, Newhook is still developing as a centreman, and Anderson hasn’t been any better. Slafkovsky will have two of the Habs’ best forwards as his linemates, and this will ultimately prove what he can do.

Playing Slafkovsky with players that won’t allow him to bring out his best traits, is a disservice to the 6’4” winger. He is a competitive player, and he knows what he is capable of. Give him a chance, and not just one game, be patient.

Top Line Minutes

Slafkovsky heard that the Habs needed a winger to play with Caufield and Suzuki, and he said he was sitting there if the Habs wanted him.

Certainly, this game would put Slafkovsky’s game under the microscope. It comes with the territory of being a number one overall selection, especially in Montreal. To this point, Slaf has fit in perfectly, and he is trying to develop into his large frame, which always takes a little bit more time. Let’s dive into how Slafkovsky performed on the first line with the club’s two cornerstone offensive pillars.

To start the game, the Canadiens iced the first line with Suzuki, 24, Caufield, 22, and Slafkovsky, 19. On defence, Kaiden Guhle, 21, and Justin Barron, 21, started the game for the Habs. The five players represent a huge part of the future of this franchise.

Slafkovsky put on a give-and-go passing clinic with Newhook on the powerplay. Slaf finished off a little deke and potted his first goal of the season. The second wave of the powerplay proved able to tie the game up.

After Brendan Gallagher was high-sticked in the middle of the period, the Habs got a two-minute powerplay. The first unit struggled to enter the zone, the second unit had more success. Slafkovsky was a menace along the boards using his reach and big body checks to keep the puck in the offensive zone, he was playing solid to start the game.

It appears that Slafkovsky is playing some inspired hockey. The promotion to the top line has lit a fire under the big Slovak. He could easily have 3-4 points, just in the first. It appears that Martin St. Louis’s advice and some new linemates have been huge for the 2022 Olympic MVP.

The top unit struggled again on the powerplay just ahead of the mid-way mark of the middle frame. Slafkovsky didn’t get many touches, but he did keep a puck alive in the attacking zone, before making a smart two-foot pass.

The second period ended with the Habs down 3-2, after Gallagher pulled them to within one goal of the Blues. Slafkovsky had a strong period.

Less than two minutes into the third period, Jordan Kyrou sent the Habs back to the man advantage. The first unit wasn’t having a great night, so the second unit got more time. Slafkovsky was unable to get any touches, however.

Slafkovsky’s name was barely heard throughout the first 10 minutes of the final frame. This is surprising because the team didn’t have a great defensive effort. But it speaks to the solid game he was having against the Blues.

Suzuki, Caufield and Slafkovsky asserted themselves in the offensive zone. After each player touched the puck, Caufield fired a shot toward Joel Hofer. Suzuki deflected the shot, and the Canadiens put up their third goal of the night.

Matheson and Caufield earned the assists, but Slafkovsky was a huge part of the play. Despite the 6-3 loss to the Blues, Slafkovsky played his best game to date. He should definitely get some sustained time on the top trio.

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