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Juraj Slafkovsky held off scoresheet once more, however coach Martin St. Louis is seeing progress from 19-year-old who was No. 1 general draft decide.
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It has been seven video games now since Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis put Juraj Slafkovsky on the No. 1 line with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield and in addition put him on the primary power-play unit.
Slafkovsky, the No. 1 general decide on the 2022 NHL Draft, has just one help in these seven video games, however St. Louis likes what he’s seeing from the 19-year-old winger.
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Slafkovsky was held off the scoresheet Monday evening when the Canadiens beat the Jets 3-2 in extra time in Winnipeg.
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Josh Anderson and Christian Dvorak scored for the Canadiens in regulation time and Justin Barron scored the OT winner on an influence play. Dvorak’s aim, which gave the Canadiens a 2-0 lead at 15:04 of the second interval, additionally got here on an influence play because the Canadiens went 2-for-3 with the person benefit.
Gabriel Vilardi and Cole Perfetti scored for the Jets.
The Jets outshot the Canadiens 32-26 with goalie Jake Allen making 30 saves for the win, enhancing his file to 4-6-2 with a 3.43 goals-against common and a .904 save share. It was Allen’s first win in his final eight begins (1-6-1), however the Canadiens have solely scored 16 objectives in these eight video games.
The Canadiens improved their file to 14-13-4 — together with 7-4-2 on the street — and they’re 3-1-1 of their final 5 video games, whereas the Jets fell to 18-10-2.
“I really feel like as a gaggle we’re locked in proper now,” St. Louis instructed reporters in Winnipeg after the sport. “I actually do really feel that manner. It’s essentially the most organized that we’ve been since I’ve taken this job and it takes time to construct that in numerous components of the sport. We’re capable of develop on among the particulars contained in the totally different ideas, totally different components of the sport that we wish to deal with. So I believe we’re simply evolving as a crew, however as a gaggle I really feel we’re actually locked in.”
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The Canadiens might be again in motion Thursday once they go to the Minnesota Wild (8 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN 690 Radio, 98.5 FM).
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Slafkovsky logged 20:06 of ice time towards the Jets with no pictures and three hits.
“I believe Juraj’s discovering some consistency,” St. Louis instructed reporters after Monday’s morning skate. “From the start of the season, his particulars on each side of the puck, off the puck, have been very mature. It’s uncommon you see that with a 19-year-old.”
Slafkovsky has 2-6-8 totals this season and going again to final season he has two objectives in his final 52 video games. There are greater than 370 gamers within the NHL with greater than two objectives this season.
“I do know all people’s most likely extra targeted on the objectives and assists that he would possibly get, however I believe his basis for a protracted success for him begins with the main points that he has proper now in his recreation and he’s enjoying with two offensive gamers and he’s complementing them very well,” St. Louis stated about Slafkovsky. “There’s loads of nights the place you permit the sport and it’s like Slaf was so good tonight and also you won’t see it within the objectives and assists, however you realize in not too lengthy these nights when he’s so good they’re going to show into a few factors for him — two, three factors an evening. He’s attempting to do it not on the expense of not being detailed off the puck. I believe it’s uncommon that you just see that from a 19-year-old.”
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One participant who has began scoring is Anderson, who has three objectives within the final two video games, giving him 4 on the season. There are actually solely 5 Canadiens forwards who’ve extra objectives than Anderson: Sean Monahan (9), Caufield (eight), Suzuki (eight), Alex Newhook (seven) and Brendan Gallagher (5).
Dvorak now has three objectives this season after scoring in a second straight recreation following a 17-game stretch with none objectives. Barron’s aim was his sixth and the twenty fourth by a Canadiens defenceman this season. It got here with Barron’s brother, Morgan, a centre with the Jets, on the opposing crew and with their dad and mom watching from the stands.
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One space the place Slafkovsky has impressed St. Louis is on the forecheck, which the coach stated has resulted in him serving to his linemates get pucks again of their possession. Suzuki has 1-5-6 totals within the final seven video games, whereas Caufield has 1-2-3 totals after they each picked up an help towards the Jets.
“It’s not one thing that’s enjoyable,” St. Louis stated about forechecking. “Nevertheless it’s essential and you must do these issues that aren’t enjoyable and you bought to do them such as you love them and perceive the way it’s a domino impact of what’s subsequent.
“Slaf has turned the nook, not simply now,” the coach added. “I really feel like this 12 months lots much less hesitation the place final 12 months I really feel there was hesitation as a result of he wished to please, he wished to do what he thinks he’s speculated to do.”
That will be rating objectives.
St. Louis believes that’s going to come back.
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