In a stunning display of resilience, the Montreal Canadiens mounted a furious third-period comeback against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday night, spearheaded by the rapidly emerging force that is Juraj Slafkovsky. The young Slovak winger seized command when it mattered most, scoring twice in the final frame to erase a three-goal deficit and secure a critical point for the Habs, despite an eventual shootout loss.
Overcoming Puck Luck and Adversity
The game in Tampa seemed destined for a disappointing conclusion for Montreal early on. The Canadiens found themselves battling not just the Lightning, but a formidable opponent: Puck Luck. A series of unfortunate bounces plagued the Habs, including a goal surrendered after a shattered stick, another that caromed off an official, and a third that slipped past rookie goaltender Jacob Fowler on an apparent deflection. By the time the second period ended, the Canadiens were staring at a daunting 4-1 deficit.
Slafkovsky Takes Command
Any thoughts of surrender were extinguished by Juraj Slafkovsky. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound winger, whose development has been a topic of much discussion since being selected first overall, took the game into his own hands. Radiating confidence and growing almost game to game, Slafkovsky became an unstoppable force in the third period.
He first set the stage by assisting on a goal by fellow young star Ivan Demidov early in the period, though a quick Tampa response seemed to snuff out the momentum. Undeterred, Slafkovsky pulled Montreal within two with his 12th goal of the season at the 9:16 mark, courtesy of an Oliver Kapanen assist. After a goal from defenseman Noah Dobson made it 4-3, the stage was set for a dramatic finish.
A Dramatic Finish and a Statement Performance
With the Canadiens swarming the Tampa net in the final minute, it appeared time would run out. Then, with a mere four seconds remaining on the clock, Slafkovsky struck again. He buried a beautiful feed from Demidov to tie the game at 4-4, sending the contest to overtime and ultimately a shootout, where the Lightning prevailed.
While the extra point slipped away, nothing could diminish the statement made by Slafkovsky. The performance was a key marker in his evolution from debated draft pick to foundational NHL player. Through 38 games this season, the 21-year-old now has 13 goals and 15 assists for 28 points, putting him on a pace to easily surpass the 51 points he recorded last year.
Beyond the statistics, it is his demeanour that impresses. Slafkovsky plays with a palpable air of command, demonstrating patience, a willingness to shoot, and an understanding of when to seize the moment. His chemistry with elite talents like Ivan Demidov and Lane Hutson is evident, but on this night, the line to watch was unequivocally whichever one featured Juraj Slafkovsky.
Heroes & Zeros: A Postscript on Hockey Canada
The column also turned a critical eye north, addressing another black eye for Hockey Canada. In the wake of the appointment of Dale Hunter to coach Canada's world junior team, the organization witnessed embarrassing incidents, including players failing to perform the standard post-game handshake after an international victory. The author argues this "oversight" was predictable given the old-boys'-club culture and calls the episode disgusting and embarrassing, placing blame on Hockey Canada CEO Katherine Henderson for trusting a "good old boy" with the role.
