On Saturday night, the Montreal Canadiens faced off against the Ottawa Senators, presenting fans with an enthralling matchup characterized by intense play and standout performances. The game concluded with the Canadiens securing a 5-2 victory, showcasing the skills of their young talent, particularly Juraj Slafkovsky, who was at the center of the action.
Juraj Slafkovsky, the youngest player on the Canadiens roster, was instrumental not just offensively but also physically throughout the game. He opened the scoring for the Canadiens, marking his fifth goal of the season. Slafkovsky’s notable performance included chasing goalie Linus Ullmark after scoring, which drew praise from commentators and fans alike. "He was all smiles after scoring this goal," tweeted Marc Dumont, encapsulating the excitement surrounding Slafkovsky’s contributions to the team.
The game took on additional intensity when Slafkovsky and Senators center Ridly Greig squared off. The altercation unfolded during the third period when Greig delivered a heavy hit on Slafkovsky as he carried the puck up the ice. Undeterred, Slafkovsky dropped his gloves and engaged Greig, leading to an explosive exchange of punches before Greig eventually lost his balance and fell to the ice. Both players received fighting penalties as the referees swiftly intervened.
Commenting on the fight, former Montreal enforcer Georges Laraque expressed his admiration for Slafkovsky's performance, stating, "Well we have to admit it, didn’t think he could, but Slaf is playing like Brady Tkachuk tonight!" This comparison to the seasoned Tkachuk brother, known for his physical play, points to Slafkovsky's growth and confidence on the ice.
Overall, Slafkovsky finished the night with five shots on goal, reinforcing his offensive presence along with his line mates, Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, who contributed two goals to the Canadiens’ total. Slafkovsky noted his mindset heading up to the match, emphasizing the importance of playing physically and winning battles along the boards. He reflected on his performance, stating, “If I bring [physicality] every night, I just help my line, and yeah, we scored two goals today, but some other nights could be more.” His acknowledgment of shooting more was evident as he stated, “I wanted to shoot more in general... I have zero shots, I feel awful.”
The matchup also highlighted the broader dynamics of the game, with the Canadiens capitalizing on scoring opportunities, with additional goals from Brendan Gallagher, Josh Anderson, and Patrik Laine. Goalie Sam Montembeault stood tall, making 25 saves and only allowing two goals from the Senators. This was no small feat, especially considering the Senators had scored against him earlier
The Senators had initially threatened the Canadiens' lead with goals from Tim Stutzle and Jake Sanderson, but the Canadiens' momentum was too strong to overcome. Even though defenseman Travis Hamonic was scratched for the Senators, the absence did not significantly affect their performance on the ice.
Following the game, Slafkovsky expressed his hopes for maintaining the team’s performance as they prepare to face the Carolina Hurricanes next. "I want this to be my standard every night," he affirmed, underscoring his determination to keep producing offensively and contributing to the team’s success.
This match not only showcased the skills and fighting spirit of young players like Slafkovsky and Greig but also set the stage for upcoming contests as both teams look to build upon their respective momentum. With this victory, Canadiens supporters are eager to see whether Slafkovsky can maintain this aggressive style of play and influence future matches positively, especially as they continue to battle for playoff positioning.