How to Get Slafkovsky’s Confidence Back

 

                    Habs forward Juraj Slafkovsky scores his first NHL hat-trick vs. the Philadelphia Flyers. Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

 

Based on Sunday’s loss, it may be a good idea for Slafkovsky to be given his line where he can drive the play. During Sunday’s 5-3 loss to the Lightning, the 20-year-old forward was pushed down the lineup following a brutal giveaway on the game’s first goal. However, this seemed to be the best thing that could have happened to his game, as playing on a 3rd line with Brendan Gallagher and Christian Dvorak allowed Slafkovsky to play with less pressure, and it paid off. Slafkovsky almost immediately started throwing his body around in the corner and helping his teammates get scoring chances by providing more space for them to get on the board. At the night’s end, the newly formed line had been involved in both even-strength goals that the Canadiens scored against the Lightning. While Slafkovsky may have finished the night with the lowest offensive production of the three (1 assist), his play in front of the net contributed to his line’s successes.

 

Another positive was that Slafkovsky seemed less hesitant to use his heavy shot. His one assist was because he used his shot, as he hit the crossbar before Carrier found Dvorak for the Habs to cut the Lightning’s lead to 4-2 near the end of the 2nd period. 

 

It may have been just a majority of a single game, but Slafkovsky seemed more involved overall and bounced back nicely from his early game issues. One reason for that is by usually playing with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, he feels like the 3rd piece of the line, resulting in him differing more to his linemates rather than carrying the puck himself. Now, on a line with Gallagher and Dvorak, who play a more grinding style of game, it allows the Slovakian youngster to get back to the simple things like moving his feet and playing a strong physical like we all know he can as it has been a big part of his game all year.

 

While he has had a tough season, the former 1st overall pick still has had some nice flashes to the season, particularly on the physical side, where he is currently tied for 1st with Josh Anderson among all Habs forwards with 121 hits. This is a good sign for the future, as Slafkovsky needs to throw the body and use his foot speed to be his best version. Just like GM Kent Hughes said on the “Processus” podcast with Simon “the Snake” Boisvert and Mathias Brunet recently, “Slafkovsky can’t expect to play like Jack Hughes, as he has advantages that Hughes doesn’t, whereas Hughes has skills that Slaf doesn’t have.” Hughes describes Slafkovsky as someone who needs to play a more physical game and avoid getting too fancy. Hughes also stated that you need to be careful with Slafkovsky because you don’t want him to think that all he needs to do is hit but instead use that side of his game to help create offense. 

 

                                        Slafkovsky scored a key goal in the Canadiens’ 5-4 victory over the Rangers on January 19, 2025. 

 

The best example of how he should play to get a goal comes when he drove the net on January 19 to tie the game against the Rangers. That goal was the perfect example of what is expected of him as a power forward. However, there is also the ability to drive the net with the puck, which he needs to work on as he can be unstoppable if he learns to do it similarly to teammate Josh Anderson. The difference is that Slafkovsky has more skill and can do more once he learns to bear down and go to the net with the puck. With this skill, he can dominate the game with his body and be a force in the playoffs once this Canadiens team is ready to take the next step. 

 

                    Juraj Slafkovsky in front of the net at the Bell Centre. Photo Credits: (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

 

Of course, Slafkovsky needs to work on his decision-making skills before he can reach that level of dominance. Luckily, these skills can be taught, as the Slovakian has proven he can do them; it just needs to be more consistent. As many say, the development of a big power forward tends to take longer than that of an average-sized skilled player. There will be some speed bumps along the way for Slafkovsky’s development, and he is still on pace to record 45 points this season, which is only 5 points off last year’s total. 

 

 

In conclusion, the Habs need to work with Slafkovsky for the rest of the season to get his confidence up so that he can get back on the same track as the monster we all saw at the end of last season. A good thing to do would be to allow him to be separated from Suzuki and Caufield to find the confidence he needs within himself. He may have an expensive contract starting in 2025-26, but he has the opportunity to grow into it and be a star power forward by the middle of it. Nonetheless, it’s far from the time to hit panic button on Slafkovsky just yet, many guys took time to be dominant such as Joe Thornton, Vincent Lecavalier and Tage Thompson. They did get there, and I believe Slafkovsky can, too.