The Montreal Canadiens have started slower than expected, dropping three of their first four games while allowing 19 goals, one of the league's worst totals over that stretch.
Montreal's offense has shown more promise with 14 goals, but it sputtered Thursday, scoring just twice against a Nashville Predators team that ranked in the bottom seven defensively last season. The Habs are also without Ivan Demidov and Oliver Kapanen, both sidelined with injuries, and several key forwards have started slowly, most notably Juraj Slafkovský.
The 22-year-old, the first overall pick in 2022, has one goal and no assists through four games after breaking out last season, setting career-highs across the board with 30 goals and 43 assists for 73 points.
It also marked his third straight 50-plus-point campaign, which has set a favorable floor for his production. However, his slow start has some fans worried that last year was an outlier rather than a breakout and that he could slide back toward that 50-point mark.
What's behind the slow start?
Injuries have separated Slafkovský from his usual linemates as Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield opened the season on the top line, largely alongside free-agent addition Chris Kreider, so Slafkovský began the year on the second line with Demidov, who were a solid pairing last season.
Demidov's injury left the six-foot-three power forward without his go-to partner, and getting him going may require a reunion with the top line. Head coach Martin St. Louis appears to feel the same way, putting Slafkovský back with Suzuki and Caufield in Thursday's game, although the unit again failed to score; though Suzuki did find the net once Kreider slotted back onto the top line.
If St. Louis sticks with Slafkovský, Suzuki and Caufield, a breakthrough seems likely as the trio last season were among the league's most dangerous lines, scoring 33 goals, the fifth-most of any line in the NHL, while allowing just 14 against.
Slafkovský was also effective alongside Demidov and Kapanen, with that trio posting 25 goals for and 18 against. With Kapanen expected back soon, St. Louis could try that reunion, though the line would lack its main playmaker in Demidov, making it a question mark.
Either way, the Habs are clearly working to get Slafkovský on track, and given his track record over the past few seasons, a rebound should eventually come.
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