TAMPA, FL — Before Game 1 even began, Nick Suzuki predicted that his linemate, Juraj Slafkovsky, would play like a giant. By the time the final whistle blew at Benchmark International Arena on Sunday night, the 22-year-old had surpassed even the loftiest expectations, becoming the first player in Montreal Canadiens history to score three power-play goals in a single playoff game.
The Evolution of a Power Forward
Slafkovsky’s path from being the first overall pick in 2022 to playoff hero has been anything but a straight line. After a rookie season marred by injuries and «dips» in confidence, the 6-foot-3, 225-pound winger has spent the last year evolving into the physical and technical force the Canadiens envisioned.
The overtime winner, coming just 1:22 into the extra frame, was a «rubber stamp» on a dominant performance. «His attributes fit perfectly for this type of hockey,» Suzuki noted. While Tampa Bay’s defense managed to neutralize Suzuki and Cole Caufield for much of the night, they had no answer for Slafkovsky’s size and tenacity on the man advantage.
Learning from the Best
Slafkovsky credits much of his physical growth to veteran teammate Josh Anderson. Sitting next to the 31-year-old in the locker room, Slafkovsky has absorbed the «power forward» blueprint—knowing when to make a play and when to «hit some people.»
«He’s a power forward. Big guy that’s hard to stop,» Anderson said of his protégé. «He’s got a lot of confidence, a lot of swagger, and I just love his game.»
From Milan to Montreal
The «big-game player» reputation isn’t new for Slafkovsky; he recently willed Slovakia to the Olympic semifinals in February with an eight-point performance. Teammate Lane Hutson wasn’t surprised by the Game 1 outburst, noting that when the stakes are highest, Slafkovsky naturally seeks to make an impact.
Coach Martin St. Louis praised the youngster’s composure during a chaotic second period that saw a Montreal goal disallowed and a subsequent Tampa lead. Slafkovsky’s first goal in the final minute of that period shifted the momentum back to the Habs, setting the stage for his third-period heroics and the eventual overtime dagger.
The Canadiens now lead the series 1-0, with Game 2 set for Tuesday night. If Slafkovsky continues to use his «beast mode» on the power play, the Lightning may find themselves in a hole they can’t climb out of.