(Las Vegas) There are of course circumstances that cannot be ignored. Like this injury which deprived him of the last 38 games of last season. Either.
The fact remains that it will soon be 11 months since Juraj Slafkovsky scored a goal in an NHL game. His last success dates back to 1er December 2022. What followed was a 21-game drought without hitting the target, a streak that was put on hold in mid-January when a knee injury ended his first NHL campaign. Adding his eight goalless outings this season, Monday night’s game in Vegas will be his thirtieth since the last time he beat a goalie.
He is obviously not the only one on his team to experience the drought. Josh Anderson has yet to score in 2023-24. However, with all the chances that number 17 obtains, it seems very close to being unlocked. It would only be enough to convert one of the many breakaways he gets, for example. Or that he hits the target a little more often: only 15 of his 28 attempts so far have made it to the net.
For Slafkovsky, it is less clear. In fact, yes it is a bit: he never really comes close to registering in the score.
A look at three indicators confirms this. The NHL’s new advanced statistics platform dissects shots on target according to their origin.
In all situations, including the power play, Slafkovsky has yet to be credited with any shots from what the league refers to as the “danger zone” – big modo, inside the faceoff spots until ‘at the goal posts.
SCREENSHOTS TAKEN FROM NHL EDGE SITE
Origin of Juraj Slafkovsky’s shots this season
He is the only striker on his team in this situation, among those who played the majority of matches. For reference, Michael Pezzetta got two.
The expected goals, determined by an algorithm also based on the origin of the shots, places him among the bottom of the class, practically on a par with the same Pezzetta. This conclusion from the specialist site Natural Stat Trick is consistent with its calculation of the Slovak’s four quality scoring chances in eight matches.
In this department too, he flirts with the numbers of the fourth line players who, however, never play on the power play and who see much less action at five on five.
Breakdown
Slafkovsky’s offensive breakdown, in reality, applies to the entire trio led by Alex Newhook and mainly completed by Josh Anderson.
Obviously Anderson’s lack of finishing deprives his partners of points. But not all the fault lies with him: since the three were brought together, five games ago, this unit has produced a total of zero goals. Its three members were completely whitewashed five to five. They even conceded two goals on Saturday night against the Winnipeg Jets, including one when there seemed to be total confusion around the CH net.
All is not gloomy, however. Supporting figures, THE Montreal Journal highlighted, this Sunday, that Slafkovsky is winning more individual battles than before and that he controls the puck more in the opposing zone, two elements that do not appear in a classic match report.
This is what makes Martin St-Louis say that he is “happy” with his protégé. “Because he touches the puck a lot. It’s a big difference compared to last year,” underlined the CH head coach, during a meeting with some Quebec journalists late Sunday afternoon.
Its evolution, already, in 12 months, I find it very encouraging. I can’t wait to see it in another 12 months. We must not forget that he is only 19 years old…
Head coach Martin St-Louis
Tangibly, the big winger sometimes makes brilliant passes, with an aplomb that seems to surprise their recipients. But there are also sequences that are a little less brilliant. Notably one in particular, Saturday, during which the big number 20 “attempted a point pass to an imaginary teammate”, as summarized by Alexandre Gascon, from Radio-Canada.
Martin St-Louis, obviously, was not delighted with Slafkovsky’s match, whom he benched in the third period, with the exception of three appearances. His ice time of 12 min 2 was his lowest of the season.
The Habs driver, however, did not show any intention of limiting his use Monday against the Stanley Cup champions, recalling that “Slaf, defensively, does a very good job.”
No matter, St-Louis does not hide the fact that the key to the young man’s development lies in “communication”, in the “conversations” they have together. Although these should not be confused with a conference of the Great Explorers.
“It’s not like I talk to him every day all the time,” St-Louis assured. It could be two or three minutes, small matters, and then let’s go. I have to let him breathe. »
“It’s certain that scoring a goal, producing, helps a player,” the coach agreed. But you shouldn’t focus on the result. It’s the process. He’s in the right places. »