Lack of confidence, poor decision-making, difficulties in asserting himself despite his size: there were numerous criticisms of Juraj Slafkovsky at the start of the season. At a certain point, we even wondered if it wouldn’t be better for him to go and stay in Laval.
However, the progress of the 19-year-old young man has regained momentum for a little over a month. A crescendo that corresponds with the decision taken by Martin St-Louis to insert him on the first trio alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. It was December 4, against the Seattle Kraken.
Photo AFP
Moreover, with supporting statistics, our friends at Sportlogiq allowed us to see that the arrival of the Slovak on the first unit was not only good for him. She also had a more than positive impact on the work of all the members of the trio.
Since these three forwards have been together, the top line has almost 60% of the expected goals in their favor and has a clear advantage in several of our key categories. Whether in shots attempted (+44), shots on target (+27) and scoring opportunities (+31).
“It’s an opportunity that Juraj deserved by doing a lot of things that aren’t goals and assists,” Martin St-Louis had also underlined on this subject, just before Christmas. I thought he had the skills to complement these two players. The more reps he gets with them, the more comfortable he feels. He is giving us good work at the moment.”
His forecheck helped transform the first line into a unit that is capable of putting a lot of pressure in the offensive zone and extending its presence in the opposing territory, leading to a lot of scoring opportunities coming from the offensive cycle.
Also on this side, the Habs dominate the opponent when this unit is on the ice. He dominates 32 to 18 in scoring opportunities coming from the offensive cycle and 47 to 31 in shots from the slot.
In the top 3 everywhere
The guy understood that he was big and that he could use his physical attributes to create space on the ice, to protect his puck and to open a path to the opposing net.
Once again the figures compiled by Sportlogiq clearly demonstrate this. The very first pick of the 2022 auction occupies the top 3 in several of the Habs’ offensive statistics.
If he is still sometimes hesitant to throw shots, he nevertheless does it more and more often. We can understand such hesitation. After all, the youngster evolves in the company of the sniper and the captain of the team. In the meantime, he does not hesitate to place both feet near the opposing goalkeeper’s semi-circle, ready to deflect a shot or take a return.
“I like it going there,” the Slovak mentioned in Chicago, after scoring a second goal in as many matches. Currently, I score goals near the net. Maybe we should start like that and then I can score further and further.”
The Slovak loves his new role and it shows.
Performance of the first trio since December 4 (at even strength)
Stats: For / Against / Difference
- Shots attempted: 212 / 168 / +44
- Shots on target: 112 / 85 / +27
- Scoring chances: 87 / 56 / +31
- Occasions in cycle: 32 / 18 / +14
- Shots from the slot: 47 / 31 / +16
- Shots from the bottom of the slot: 21 / 15 / +6
- Goals: 8/9/-1
- Expected goals for 59.8%
Offensive zone statistics since December 4
Juraj Slafkovsky Results / Rank among CH attackers
- Passes blocked: 18/4e
- Harpooned washers: 5/5e
- Free pucks recovered: 118/2e
- Returns recovered: 13/2e
- Passes completed: 170/3e
- Completed passes to the slot: 19/34e
- Opportunities in offensive cycles: 18/2e