In the Canadiens’ 5-2 victory, Juraj Slafkovsky stood out, overshadowing Connor Bedard, who was the No. 1 overall pick for the Chicago Blackhawks in 2023. Slafkovsky, chosen as the No. 1 pick in 2022 by the Canadiens, demonstrated his progress at the age of 19, contributing a goal and an assist. In contrast, Bedard, already a standout at 18, was limited to just one assist in the game.
The Canadiens, who won the NHL Draft Lottery a year earlier, showcased their No. 1 pick’s development. Despite Slafkovsky being a work in progress, the team has seen improvement in his play, both through advanced analytics and the eye test. The matchup between the two No. 1 overall picks ended with the Canadiens overcoming a 2-0 deficit, securing a 5-2 win.
Struble with a big reverse hit, then Entwhistle jumps in for a fight. Entwhistle chose…poorly. But he got some shots in once the refs were in between them. pic.twitter.com/rXQnq9N5js
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 23, 2023
Aside from Slafkovsky’s performance, Mitchell Stephens, Josh Anderson, Nick Suzuki, and David Savard also contributed goals for the Canadiens. The team rallied from a 2-0 deficit in the second period, extending their record to 15-13-5, with points earned in five consecutive games (3-0-2). The victory leaves them just three points away from a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Hé les partisans, comment ça va?
We feeling good, Habs fans?#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/r0PTPlCX0o
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) December 23, 2023
The game featured several firsts for the Canadiens, including Stephens scoring his first NHL goal since March 3, 2020, Slafkovsky scoring in back-to-back games for the first time in his career, and goalie Cayden Primeau securing back-to-back wins. Additionally, defenseman Jayden Struble engaged in his first NHL fight.
Josh Anderson continued his scoring streak with five goals this season, including four in the last four games, while Suzuki leads the Canadiens in goals (10), assists (20), and points (30).
Son premier dans l’uniforme des Canadiens!
RE1️⃣NDEER alert
Congrats on your first goal as a Hab, Mitch!#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/GZWnIZfoHl
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) December 23, 2023
Despite Bedard leading all NHL rookies in scoring with 12-17-29 totals, he plays on a team tied for last place with the San Jose Sharks, potentially earning another No. 1 overall draft pick next year. On the other hand, Slafkovsky has shown progress with 4-8-12 totals this season, including 2-3-5 in the last four games.
General Manager Kent Hughes anticipates that it will take another three or four years for Slafkovsky to become the player the Canadiens envision. Slafkovsky, playing on the No. 1 line with Suzuki and Cole Caufield for the ninth straight game, has showcased his growth, especially in using his size to advantage.
Slafkovsky expressed his satisfaction with his development, noting improvements in making plays and feeling better overall. He credited his linemates for their support and highlighted the positive dynamics within the team.
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