Slafkovsky Determined to Lead Canadiens After Olympic Disappointment
Montreal Canadiens winger Juraj Slafkovsky has returned from the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics with renewed motivation, despite Slovakia's heartbreaking loss in the bronze-medal game. The 21-year-old forward, who was Slovakia's standout performer with four goals and eight points in six games, is now focused on helping the Canadiens maintain their strong position in the Atlantic Division as the NHL season resumes.
Olympic Experience Fuels Leadership Ambitions
Slafkovsky made his second consecutive Olympic appearance, building on his remarkable 2022 performance in Beijing where he was named tournament MVP as a 17-year-old. While his individual statistics were impressive this time around, the team fell short of securing another bronze medal, losing 6-1 to Finland in the final game.
"It sucks," Slafkovsky admitted about leaving the Winter Games without a medal. "You're super-close at the end. You have one period to go. You're down one goal. It kind of slipped away. That sucks. For sure, it's motivation. I want to be good here now for the rest of the season."
The young Slovakian believes his Olympic experience has prepared him for greater leadership responsibilities with the Canadiens. "The Olympic experience should help me to lead more," he stated. "I want to play with pace and play fast. But at the same time, know when to slow the game down and pick my place."
Canadiens Return from Break with Strong Position
The Canadiens enter the final stretch of the season with a 32-17-8 record, placing them second in the Atlantic Division. Before the three-week Olympic break, Montreal was one of the NHL's hottest teams with a 4-0-1 record, thanks in part to Slafkovsky's contributions. He had recorded 21 goals and 45 points in 57 games prior to the pause.
The team faces immediate challenges as they return to action against the New York Islanders at the Bell Centre. Head coach Martin St. Louis emphasized the importance of competing immediately despite the extended break. "You jump right in, and can you hit the ground running?" he asked. "To me, it's not trying to be perfect. There's going to be things we need to tighten up and things we need to get better at."
Slafkovsky's Growth and Team Adjustments
Slafkovsky expressed satisfaction with his development this season, noting "I feel like my game is growing pretty much every game since I got here. I like where it's going. For sure, there's still much I can be better at. But it has been a good season so far."
The Canadiens also welcome back forward Alex Newhook, who hasn't played since November 13 after suffering a fractured right ankle that required surgery. Newhook had made a strong start to the season with six goals and 12 points in 17 games before his injury and is expected to play on a line with Jake Evans and Alexandre Texier against the Islanders.
With a full roster available, coach St. Louis will have decisions to make regarding healthy scratches, which are expected to include forwards Zachary Bolduc, Joe Veleno, and Patrik Laine, along with defenceman Jayden Struble.
Focus on Defensive Foundation
As the Canadiens prepare for the playoff push, Slafkovsky emphasized the importance of defensive responsibility. "We have to be good defensively," he explained. "Don't let the other teams get many chances. We know if we're good defensively, we'll get our looks, and we'll be good offensively if we start with good defence."
The young winger concluded with a determined outlook for the remainder of the season: "Now we have the final stretch and then the playoffs. I want to finish hard and finish good." His Olympic disappointment has clearly transformed into motivation as he aims to help lead the Canadiens through their most critical games of the season.
