NHL: Slafkovsky by joy from advancement to the playoffs sang with fans
Montreal. When overseas journalist Anthony Martineau published a photo of Slafkovsky from the youth time on the social network last year, where the striker had blonde hair, the hockey player promised him that he could make such a hairstyle after the playoffs.
The Canadiens were not among the best sixteen, the bet between Slafkovsky and the journalist was paid.
Until now. Montreal on Thursday night climbed in the last match of the regular season Carolina 4: 2 and secured the last place in the knockout part of the NHL.
In 1. The Canadiens will meet the winner of the Eastern Washington conference. Two Slovak hockey players – Juraj Slafkovský and Martin Fehérváry – will hit each other.
Martineau nazed Slafkovský’s promise and, after the procedure for the playoffs, reminded him of it. « I don’t believe you just said that. I’ll talk about it with the team and see … » Slafkovsky replied with a smile.
New seasonal maximum
The 21-year-old striker survived the successful year. Despite the fact that he had traditionally a weaker introduction. For a long time, the playrooms were troubled.
The turning point came after a break caused by the four countries tournament. Since the end of February he scored 21 points in 26 matches.
Finally, he crowned the season with a new point in his career and became the most productive Slovak in the NHL.
In the regular season of the season 2024/2025 played 79 matches, in which he scored 51 points for 18 goals and 33 assists. In the previous year he had a balance of 20+30 in 82 duels.
Slafkovsky has said in the past several times that he likes to play important matches in which something is going. She wants to be on the ice whenever something is going on.
He mentioned this at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, where he only happened at the age of 17 the most useful player of the tournament.
There was a lot in the match against Carolin. Montreal had the last opportunity to ensure that he advanced to the playoffs himself and did not have to rely on the failure of Columbus.
« I love to play important matches, I enjoy it very much, » he repeated after the playoffs.
The key player of the match
For Slafkovsky, the last match of the regular season was also jubilee 200. In the profile. Against Caroline was one of the drivers of success, although he only scored once.
He scored his assistance at the 4th minute with the opening goal Canadiens. After settling, he held the puck in the attack zone, the backhand moved him to the defender Kaiden Glema and the shot opened the score.
Video: Slafkovsky’s assistance at Kaiden Ghle’s goal
« It was quite a natural situation. I stopped, I passed the ghlem and scored, » Slafkovsky said.
In the season he began to be successful only after he realized that he had to use his body more. He wanted to imitate the hard style of Brady’s Tkachuk’s game and he did it.
It dominated the tournament of four countries. He was the only NHL hockey player who was in the statistics – goals, points, hits and shots – to the best 50s of that period.
Although he failed to practice every match until the end of the regular season, he remembered Hurricanes why his power play is so important for his teammates.
At the end of the second period at 1: 1, he was able to shut down the striker Carolina Mark Jankowski at the cushion and tied up to three opponents with Caufield teammate.
On the other hand, the space of Captain Suzuki has opened up, which is unusual to be mistaken from similar positions.
Video: Nick Suzuki’s goal after the good work of Slafkovsky
« Slafkovský plays a successful match, » said overseas expert Eric Engels from Sportsnet during the meeting.
The Slovak eventually had his fingers in the third goal, which was finally winning. At Montreal’s offensive action, he stood in front of the goal of Carolina and thanks to the spectacular curtain he managed to score a second goal in the match.
VIDEO: Juraj Slafkovsky’s aperture in Montreal’s third goal
In the final duo of the basic part of Slafkovský played 15 minutes and 57 seconds. In addition to the assistance, he scored up to three plus points, two gate shots, two blocks and one hit. He also served a two -minute punishment for tripping.
« When Slafkovsky missed a few passes, people were really disappointed. Finally, he was a decisive factor in three goals, » said expert Marc Dumont.
Slafkovský: We wanted to advance at all costs
Slafkovský experienced a duel very emotionally. He celebrated the goals massively and smiled the whole match.
During the final seconds of the match in the determined situation, he hugged himself on the inverter with Cole Caufield for more than a minute. Then they sang together with the fans.
Video: The joy of hockey players Montreal
« I enjoyed every second of this evening, » Slafkovsky said.
After the closing horn of the Hala Bell Center Burácala, the fans were clear. Montreal hockey players were on ice and celebrated the advance to the playoffs. When they played in 2021 in the knockout part last, they reached the finals.
« We wanted to get into the playoffs at all costs. We didn’t talk about it out loud, but it was our big goal we’ve held among us. We finally succeeded, » said Slafkovský’s journalist Priyant Emrith.
« I really wanted to win, so I made sure I will work today. It was a good performance of our attack and the whole team. Maybe not perfect, but good enough to win, » added Slafkovsky.
After Montreal’s advance to the playoffs, it was also celebrated in the streets of the city. In the vicinity of the Bell Center stadium fans sang long after the match.
« They are as excited as us and it is great to feel their support. They were with us all season. There were no great hopes and expectations in our group, but they kept us when we played well and badly. They helped us tonight, » said Captain Nick Suzuki.
« I can’t wait to play the first playoff home game, » he added.
The first matches of the knockout part will take place on Saturday. Montreal will meet Washington on Monday. Two opening meetings will take place on Capitals ice.
« It is a victory for everyone. Winning for fans, victory for everyone in the organization, » said Montreal coach Martin St. Louis, according to which the last days of the fight for the playoffs were very stressful.
« I learned a lot and it is something I had to go through as a coach, » St. Louis. PHe personally thanked the match to each player.
NHL tables
Eastern Conference:
