Juraj Slafkovsky just needs to break the dam

After a 50-point season, Juraj Slafkovsky has raised the Montreal Canadiens' faithful's expectations of him.

20 goals and 30 assists have brought the league's attention to Slafkovsky and what he is capable of. His 50-point season was just scratching the surface, and while he hasn't scored at a high clip this season, his recent uptick in scoring brings promise with it. Putting the puck on the net is never a bad idea, and all it takes is one bounce.

Slafkovsky just needs to pull the monkey off his back, and once he does, I expect he will grip his stick less tightly. If he can be encouraged to shoot the puck as often as possible, he will find the spark he needs. There is no denying that he can overwhelm goalies with his one-touch shot, and utilizing it on the power play could be just what he needs to do to start scoring some goals.

Right now, it makes sense why he isn't scoring much, it is a bit of an adjustment returning from injury. But playing with new teammates only makes finding his game a little more difficult. That is no shot at Jake Evans and Alex Newhook, but more so a testament to the chemistry that Slafkovsky has built with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield.

I think that Slafkovsky has immense potential in scoring, and even if he cannot match or surpass 50 points this season, I don't think he should be frustrated. There also shouldn't be much concern, considering how Slafkovsky changed his play from year one to year two. The sophomore slump has never been, but maybe the junior year tough stretch will be a small stretch without any goals, despite his steady play.

Is Slafkovsky overthinking?

I think when Slafkovsky really found his groove, he was thinking less and just letting his skills take over. For example, if the puck came his way, he already knew what he was going to do with it, instead of hesitating. Now, when the puck comes his way, it's almost as though he wants to slow things down instead of reacting.

I believe that Slafkovsky has the shot to be the triggerman that Lane Hutson, and right now, Mike Matheson need above the right circle in the offensive zone. When Slafkovsky is on, he strikes like a rattlesnake with his one-touch shot, and that opens up space for his linemates. But when he stops the puck and tries a wrist shot or overpasses the puck, he sometimes kills the play.

Slafkovsky has the skill to pull off impressive moves and create high-danger chances, but when he simplifies the game, is when he is at his best. Combining rushes with drop passes before driving to the net is what makes him so hard to play against. Setting up shop in the offensive zone and avoiding dusting the puck off; just shooting will make him more effective.

It's easy sometimes to forget that he is so young and this is only his third season, given the way he played last season. But he isn't yet where he can get, but when he gets there it will all be worth the wait. Slafkovsky has shown flashes of brilliance. But with more experience, I expect he will become more consistent; developing a two-way game takes time.