Canadiens: Juraj Slafkovsky Has His Best Game of Season vs Canucks

Juraj Slafkovsky has had his fair share of struggles since entering the NHL, which is to be expected at 18 years of age. But as a first-overall pick, expectations are always going to be high. And to this point, the Canadiens forward hasn’t exactly blown Habs fans away, with just 12 points in 54 career games. But more performances like the one he had on Sunday versus the Canucks will put fans at ease.

Slafkovsky didn’t come away with any points, but he was active, created chances and showed great confidence with the puck. He ended the game with six shots on net, something I’m sure the coaching staff has been telling him to do more. If he can do this more often, the puck will go in. You can see the flashes the Canadiens brass saw when they drafted him in performances like this. The potential is certainly there.

Slafkovsky’s game versus the Canucks was perhaps his best of the season, with only the season opener versus the Leafs rivalling it. It showcased his ability to play with the puck on his stick, using his size to his advantage and utilizing his hockey IQ to make smart, effective plays with the puck. His line even scored a goal, although it was called back for offsides, a common theme for the Canadiens this season. And Slafkovsky was providing the screen as Dvorak’s shot from the point beat DeSmith.

Now, here’s the challenge for Slafkovsky: he needs to build on this game. He played really well, but this game is done; it’s time to move onto the next. As I said, when you play like this, the points will come, but you need to be consistent in that regard. That’s really been the area we’ve seen Slafkovsky struggle in the most. Following up a good performance with another.

Because anyone can have a good game from time to time, but the great players are consistently playing well, obviously. At times this season, Slafkovsky has looked timid and unsure of himself, almost reluctant to shoot the puck. That changed on Sunday, and it needs to stay that way. If he can do that, then yes, the points will come.

And at some point, those stats need to come because while they may not be the only thing that matters, they do matter. He doesn’t have to score nine goals in his first 13 games like Connor Bedard has, but one in 15 is… concerning. Yes, you want to be patient, but patience doesn’t replace progress. They go hand in hand.

Sunday was a good day for even the most impatient Canadiens fans, at least it should have been. Now, if Slafkovsky can follow it up, you feel even better about him as a player. We’re seeing flashes of a good player, and the hope is he can start putting it all together. The game versus the Canucks was a step in the right direction. Now, let’s take another.

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