Rightly or wrongly, Juraj Slafkovsky’s outfit is the talk of the cottages. For many supporters, it is not normal that a first choice in the draft is also erased.
• Read also: Sean Monahan understands young Juraj
In this other setback for the Canadian, this time suffered at the hands of the Maple Leafs by a score of 5 to 1, the great Slovak managed to dispel some doubts. Doubts that he himself possibly had in mind.
Facing a Toronto team that had chosen to bring the Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander to the Bell Center on Monday, the 18-year-old forward had his most convincing outing.
“You could say it was my best game so far, but it’s still a long way from what I can do,” he said.
“If I keep working even harder and can reach my best level, I can say that I belong in this league. Today [lundi]it was close,” he continued.
He picked up an assist on Jonathan Drouin’s goal in the third period. But even before collecting this first point, Slafkovsky had been visible throughout the meeting.
Stolen by Matt Murray
Much more confident, he allowed himself some maneuvers in opposing territory. His puck control and more structured zone entries helped his line to be incisive in opposing territory.
Himself, during the second period, was robbed by Matt Murray. A certain goal that finally ended in a stoppage of the mitt.
“I was sure the puck was going in the goal. But there are good goalkeepers in this league, you know! Slafkovsky launched.
As for the rest, the Canadian lost again, allowing, among other things, two shorthanded goals. Since the start of the preseason calendar, he has posted a record of 0-4-1.
What we noticed…
The captain enters the scene
After Josh Anderson and Sean Monahan, it will be Nick Suzuki’s turn to enter the preseason game on Tuesday night. CH head coach Martin St-Louis confirmed the presence of his captain on Monday noon. Suzuki was recovering from a lower body injury sustained in a collision with Joel Edmundson a few days before camp.
Simoneau has a heart in the work
Xavier Simoneau was playing a second preseason game. With only an American League contract, he should spend the entire season with the Rocket. At least the attacker will take the direction of Laval after leaving a good impression with his combativeness. “I’ve worked hard all my life to be here. I want to give everything I have to get a contract with the Canadiens next year,” said the former Drummondville Voltigeurs.
Difficult for Barron
After an encouraging outing on Saturday, Justin Barron had a rocky game on Monday. He displayed the robust dimension of his game by applying four checks. On the other hand, we have seen some deficiencies in defense. In addition to causing three turnovers, he completely missed his assignment on William Nylander’s second goal, the Leafs’ third.
First period
1-Tor: William Nylander (1)
(Bunting, Marner)AN-2:16
2-Tor: Zach Aston-Reese (1)
(Holl)8:40
Penalties: Drouin (Mon) 0:51 bench (Tor) (served by Malgin) 10:52 Gignac (Mon) 16:55
Second period
3-Tor: William Nylander (2)
(Robertson)5:52
Punishments: No punishment
Third period
4-Mon: Jonathan Drouin (1)
(Slafkovsky)AN-14:15
5-Tor: Alexander Kerfoot (1)
(Nylander, Robertson)15:42
6-Tor: Alexander Kerfoot (2)
(Robertson, Malgin)AN-18:42
Penalties: Steeves (Tor) 8:51Marner (Tor) 8:51Matheson (Mon) 8:51Aston-Reese (Tor) 10:00Bunting (Tor) 13:36Xhekaj (Mon) 17:13
Shoot to the net
Toronto 10 – 7 – 14 – 31Montréal 5 – 14 – 10 – 29
Guardians:
Tor: Matt Murray (G, 2-0-0) Mon: Jake Allen (P, 0-1-0)
Numerical advantages:
Tor: 2 in 3 Mon: 1 in 4
Referees:
Justin Kea, Garrett Rank
Linesmen:
Ryan Daisy, Mark Schewchyk
ASSISTANCE:
19636
Juraj Slafkovsky
★★★