Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: Practices Monday, feels fine
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Slafkovsky (head) practiced Monday after leaving Saturday's 3-1 loss to Pittsburgh early, Patrick Friolet of RDS reports.
Following Monday's on-ice session, Slafkovsky told reporters he underwent concussion protocol and feels fine, per Canadiens beat reporter Priyanta Emrith. The 20-year-old Slafkovsky should be in the lineup for Tuesday's matchup against Calgary. He has one goal, seven assists, 14 shots on net, 11 blocked shots and 31 hits through nine appearances this season. Barring a setback, he will play on the second line and see time on the top power-play unit versus the Flames.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: Leaves game late
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Slafkovsky was removed from Saturday's game against the Penguins late in the third period after taking a shot to the head, Erik Leijon of the Montreal Gazette reports.
The hit delivered by Pittsburgh's Noel Acciari occurred with just over three minutes left, as seen on SportsNet, and Slafkovsky's status is unclear. The incident led to Montreal seeking retribution, with Arber Xhekaj taking a run at Acciari as the horn sounded to end the game. Slafkovsky will have a couple of days to get right before Montreal hosts Calgary on Tuesday.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: Nabs helper in loss
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Slafkovsky recorded an assist, three shots on goal, two hits and two blocked shots in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Penguins.
Slafkovsky has earned two assists over three games since he returned from an upper-body injury. The 20-year-old winger began the season on the top line alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, but he's skated on the second line since his return. Slafkovsky has displayed strong offense with a goal, seven assists, 14 shots on net, 31 hits, 11 blocked shots and a plus-1 rating through nine appearances.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: Logs assist in return
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Slafkovsky had an assist, two shots and four hits in Tuesday's 8-2 loss to Seattle.
Slafkovsky returned from an upper-body injury that cost him three games. Instead of reuniting with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield on the top line, head coach Martin St. Louis left Kirby Dach on the first line and had Slafkovsky skate on the second line. That lasted all of one period, after which Montreal was down, 4-1. Slafkovsky rejoined his usual linemates from the second period on. The helper was Slafkovsky's sixth in seven outings.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: Ready to rock
Rotowire
Slafkovsky (upper body) will return to the lineup Tuesday versus Seattle, per Kenzie Lalonde of TSN.
Despite reports suggesting otherwise, Slafkovsky clarified Tuesday morning that his injury was not a shoulder problem. He will return to a top-six role and should see power-play time. Slafkovsky has collected one goal, five assists, seven shots on net, 22 hits and nine blocked shots through six outings this campaign. Michael Pezzetta will be a healthy scratch versus the Kraken to make room for Slafkovsky's return to the lineup.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: Out at least one week
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Slafkovsky (shoulder) will be re-evaluated in a week, the Canadiens announced Tuesday.
Slafkovsky was hurt during Friday's practice. He still managed to play Saturday, but it seems he'll require some time on the shelf to recover. That interrupts his fantastic start to the campaign -- Slafkovsky has a goal and six points in six appearances in 2024-25. His absence might lead to Brendan Gallagher moving up to a top-six role.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: Status uncertain for Tuesday
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Head coach Martin St. Louis said Monday that Slafkovsky's (shoulder) status for Tuesday's game against the Rangers is uncertain, Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports.
Slafkovsky sustained a shoulder injury during Friday's practice session but was able to suit up for Saturday's game against the Islanders. He was effective, tallying two assists in the shootout loss, but it's not yet clear whether he'll be able to dress for Tuesday's home game.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: Expected to play Saturday
Rotowire
Slafkovsky (shoulder) took line rushes in his normal first-line spot and is expected to play versus the Islanders on Saturday, Guillaume Lefrancois of La Presse reports.
Slafkovsky was hurt in Friday's practice but made the trip to New York. It doesn't appear the 20-year-old winger will miss any time. He has four points through five appearances, so fantasy managers should have him active if they normally would.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: Traveling to New York
Rotowire
Slafkovsky (shoulder) will travel with the Canadiens to New York to face the Islanders on Saturday, but coach Martin St. Louis did not know if he would be able to play, Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports.
Slafkovsky injured his shoulder at morning practice and left the ice to be treated by the training staff. Slafkovsky has a goal and four points in five games this season, including a goal and an assist on the power play.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: Injured at practice Friday
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Slafkovsky left practice Friday after injuring his left shoulder, according to Patrick Friolet of RDS.ca.
Slafkovsky is off to a good start in 2024-25, scoring once and adding three assists in five appearances. He is playing on the top line, alongside Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki, as well as averaging 4:45 of ice time on the top power play. Should Slafkovsky be unavailable for Saturday's game against the Islanders, look for Joel Armia or Alex Newhook to move up to the first line.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: Scores on power play
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Slafkovsky scored a power-play goal, had three shots on net and doled out three hits in Monday's 6-3 loss to the Penguins.
Slafkovsky redirected a pretty pass from Nick Suzuki early in the second period that tied the game at 2-2. The tally was his first of the season and second power-play point. The power play was an Achilles' heel for the Canadiens last season, and they went 0-for-30 in the preseason, but the club has power-play tallied in all four games thus far in 2024-25. Slafkovsky has points in three of the first four contests and is up to 13 hits.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: Signs eight-year extension
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Slafkovsky signed an eight-year, $60.8 million contract extension with Montreal on Monday.
Slafkovsky still has one more season left on his entry-level deal before his new contract makes him much richer. The 20-year-old forward made plenty of progress in 2023-24, generating 20 goals and 50 points in 82 regular-season games. After all, Slafkovsky only had four tallies and 10 points in 39 appearances during his rookie campaign in 2022-23. He should see time on the top line and the first power-play unit in the upcoming season.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: First NHL hat trick
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Slafkovsky netted his first NHL hat trick Tuesday in a 9-3 win over the Flyers.
The first goal was a gift -- Mike Matheson's one-timer from the top of the slot went in off his skate in the first. Slafkovsky pushed the score to 2-0 in the second on a one-timer from the edge of the crease and completed the hat trick a couple minutes later on a breakaway to push the score to 4-0. Slafkovsky is the sixth Canadiens player ever to score a hat trick at age 20 or younger. Since March 9, the winger has been held off the scoresheet just twice in 15 games (six goals, 11 assists). File his name away for draft day 2024. The sophomore winger has 19 goals and 48 points with 147 shots in 78 games this season.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: Sets up power-play goal in loss
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Slafkovsky had a power-play assist, one shot on net and five hits in Saturday's 4-2 loss to Toronto.
Slafkovsky slid a no-look, backhand pass to Nick Suzuki, who buried a one-timer for Montreal's first goal. Slafkovsky is burnishing a breakout season with 14 points over the last 13 games. He needs five points over the final six games for a 50-point season.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: One of each in loss
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Slafkovsky had a goal on six shots, an assist and a hit in Thursday's 7-4 loss to the Lightning.
Both points came in the third period when Montreal attempted to mount a comeback. The recently turned 20-year-old Slafkovsky is finishing the season strong with 13 points over the last 12 contests.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: Streak rolls to eight
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Slafkovsky had an assist, two shots on net, three blocked shots and two hits in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Avalanche.
Slafkovsky directed the puck to the boards where Nick Suzuki won the battle and scored the first of Montreal's two opening-period tallies. The assist extended Slafkovsky's point streak to eight games -- his second eight-game streak this season -- during which he has two goals and seven assists.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: Streaks to five games
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Slafkovsky had an assist, two shots on net, three hits and two penalty minutes in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Oilers.
Slafkovsky picked up a primary assist when his pass deflected off Nick Suzuki's skate and into the net. It was the fifth consecutive game with a point for the 19-year-old Slafkovsky, who has a goal and five assists during that stretch. He's bounced back nicely from an eight-game stretch in which he had just one point, which is a sign of Slafkovsky's growth and confidence in his second NHL season.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: Runs streak to four games
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Slafkovsky had an assist, three shots, one blocked shot, one hit and two penalty minutes in Saturday's 5-2 loss to Calgary.
Slafkovsky picked up the secondary assist on Cole Caufield's second-period strike and extended his point streak to four games. The 19-year-old forward has 14 goals and 22 assists through 67 games.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: Records assist in OT loss
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Slafkovsky had an assist, a blocked shot and a hit in Thursday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Bruins.
Slafkovsky corralled a loose puck in front of Linus Ullmark and found Suzuki at the side of the net for a first-period equalizer. The assist extended a point streak to three consecutive games and upped his season total to 35. The streak comes after the 19-year-old went eight games with just one point.
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Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: Logs three hits
Rotowire
Slafkovsky logged one shot on goal and three hits in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Predators.
After being a game-time decision due to an undisclosed injury, Slafkovsky was in his regular spot on the first line being centered by Nick Suzuki. The 2022 first overall pick continues to show flashes of his potential but consistency remains a concern. He generates some scoring chances, but fantasy managers might need to be patient and hope he can start translating those chances into more points before adding him as a starting forward.
