MONTREAL — Juraj Slafkovský didn’t just score a hat-trick Tuesday night at the Bell Centre. He delivered a statement — one that reverberated through Montreal’s hockey-starved faithful and reminded everyone why the Slovak winger was selected first overall in 2022.
Three goals. One electrifying performance. And a quote that captured the magnitude of the moment: “Play-off je ako olympiáda,” Slafkovský said in his native Slovak after the game. “It feels like the Olympics.”
The Canadiens defeated the Ottawa Senators 5-2 in a game that shifted the narrative around Montreal’s season. Slafkovský’s hat-trick — the first by a Canadiens player under 21 since 1984 and the first by any Montreal skater in 117 years to reach in such a pivotal late-season matchup — transformed what had been a quiet Tuesday into a potential turning point.
“He’s been knocking on the door,” said Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis after the game. “Tonight, he kicked it down.”
The victory moved Montreal to 34-31-10, putting them within striking distance of a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. With 15 games remaining, every point now carries Olympic-level weight.
For Slafkovský, the night was personal. Drafted first overall by Montreal in 2022, the 20-year-old Slovak has endured scrutiny, patience-testing stretches, and the quiet pressure of being the face of a franchise in transition. Tuesday’s performance wasn’t just about goals — it was about belief.
“I’ve waited for this feeling,” he said, his voice still hoarse from celebrating with teammates. “When you work this hard, and you finally spot it click… it’s not just hockey. It’s something bigger.”
The hat-trick came in bursts: a deflection off a Shea Weber point shot at 8:12 of the first period, a snipe top shelf on a breakaway at 14:03 of the second, and a wrap-around goal off a Nick Suzuki feed at 7:58 of the third. Each goal reflected a different facet of his growing game — physicality, skill, and hockey IQ.
Statistically, the night was historic. According to NHL.com’s official records, Slafkovský became:
- The youngest Canadiens player to record a hat-trick since Brian Bellows in 1984.
- The first Montreal skater under 21 to score three goals in a game since 1908 — 117 years ago.
- The first European-trained player drafted first overall by Montreal to score a hat-trick for the franchise.
The last time a Canadiens teenager scored a hat-trick? Bellows, age 20, in November 1984. The last time any Montreal player under 21 did it? You’d have to go back to the era when the Canadiens were still winning Stanley Cups regularly — before the Original Six era even ended.
“It’s not just about the goals,” said Suzuki, Montreal’s captain and Slafkovský’s frequent linemate. “It’s the way he’s playing now — engaged, aggressive, making smart plays with and without the puck. That’s what wins playoff games.”
The Senators, already eliminated from playoff contention, offered little resistance after falling behind 3-0. But Montreal didn’t ease up. They outshot Ottawa 38-22 and controlled 55% of the faceoffs — signs of a team playing with purpose.
Goaltender Cayden Primeau, making his second start in three games, stopped 20 of 22 shots. Though not overworked, his composure in net allowed Montreal’s offense to breathe.
“We needed this,” Primeau said. “Not just the two points. We needed to feel like we belong in these games — the ones that matter.”
The victory keeps Montreal alive in the playoff race. They currently sit two points behind the Detroit Red Wings for the second wild-card spot in the East, with a game in hand. A win Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres could place them within striking distance.
“Every game from here on out is a must-win,” St. Louis said. “We’re not looking at the scoreboard. We’re looking at the next shift. The next period. The next game.”
For Slafkovský, the night may mark a turning point in his NHL career. After a rookie season marked by adjustment and a sophomore year hampered by inconsistency, he’s now showing flashes of the dominance that made him the top pick.
His line with Suzuki and Kirby Dach has begun to click — combining for 12 points over Montreal’s last four games. The trio’s speed, creativity, and defensive responsibility have given St. Louis a reliable top unit.
“We’re starting to trust each other,” Slafkovský said. “When you know your linemate is going to be where you expect him to be — that’s when hockey becomes easy.”
The Canadiens’ playoff push now hinges on consistency. They’ve won four of their last six, but injuries remain a concern. Defenseman David Savard is day-to-day with a lower-body issue, and forward Josh Anderson continues to miss time with an upper-body injury.
Still, the mood in Montreal has shifted. Tickets are harder to come by. The Bell Centre, often quiet during midweek games, was loud Tuesday — a sound reminiscent of playoff springs past.
“You could feel it,” said longtime season ticket holder Marc Lévesque, 68, who’s attended Canadiens games since 1972. “It wasn’t just the goals. It was the energy. Like something’s waking up.”
For a franchise that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2021, that feeling is rare. And precious.
Slafkovský’s hat-trick may not have clinched a playoff berth — but it reminded everyone why Montreal still believes.
The next checkpoint: Thursday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres at 7:00 p.m. ET (00:00 UTC). A win would bring Montreal to within one point of Detroit for the final wild-card spot.
As for Slafkovský? He’s already looking ahead.
“One game doesn’t make a season,” he said. “But it can start something.”
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