Juraj Slafkovsky and his teammates seemed particularly jovial when the big Slovak deflected a Lane Hutson shot in the third period to give the Canadian a 4-3 lead.
One day, such a reaction will be explained by the stakes of the match, because the Habs will try to qualify for the playoffs, or outright win a series. But in the meantime, in an 82e match which meant nothing for CH, it’s a stupid question of money. By marking his 20e goal of the season, Slafkovsky secured a bonus of $250,000 provided for in his contract. “A profitable goal! “, said the young first, after the 5-4 defeat against the Detroit Red Wings.
Hutson had just made his usual lively movements with the puck, before taking the wrist shot that Slafkovsky converted into a goal. We’re guessing that the Canadian’s new kid will be entitled to a generous tip, right? Maybe not, after all.
“He’ll probably get all his bonuses next year, so he’ll be OK,” said the always mischievous Slafkovsky.
Hutson’s response: “I told him I was going to give him my details on Venmo!” », joked the little defender, in reference to a money transfer service.
For his first game at the Bell Centre, Hutson stole the show from Logan Mailloux, who was playing his first NHL game at all. Players who generate an instant reaction from spectators when they have the puck are rare, but that’s what Hutson provoked Tuesday, with his shoulder movements that confuse the opponent.
“He’s fun to watch play,” admitted Martin St-Louis. His offensive touches are excellent, he takes the puck in the offensive zone and it looks like the building is rising. For a small defender, he doesn’t play small. He covers a lot of ice, he’s very smart on both ends of the ice. The two games give us a sample of how he can perform against the speed of NHL size. I was impressed. »
Employed nearly 22 minutes on Monday, he spent 23 minutes on the ice Tuesday. He concluded his very short internship with two assists in two games and a differential of -2 (the poor guy was on the ice for the goal scored from behind the net by Daniel Sprong). He was the victim of four hits on Monday, none on Tuesday. And St-Louis dispatched him in a shootout. “I think the crowd wanted that,” he said.
Mailloux’s beginnings
Mailloux made his debut more discreetly, even if it started with a bang. First, a strong reaction from the crowd when he was introduced in the starting lineup. A great way to confirm that the public has put the towel on his past, as the NHL did on Tuesday morning by announcing that it was giving him the green light to play in the circuit.
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, THE PRESS
Logan Mailloux
“I had some applause in Laval this season, so I feel like the fans don’t hate me too much. I love our fans, we have the best, in the American League too,” observed the great Ontarian.
Mailloux broke the ice in the first period by obtaining his first point, on Alex Newhook’s goal. “It’s a little less weight on the shoulders,” he agrees. It was a nice play from Armia on the edge of the boards, then I saw Gallagher go, I passed to him and he made a nice lift pass to Newhook. »
These two – Hutson and Mailloux – will be ones to watch next camp. If they were entitled to an audition at the end of the season, it is no coincidence. Jordan Harris was also left out to make room for Mailloux on Tuesday.
Adding up the six defenders in uniform, the retired Harris and Johnathan Kovacevic, and the injured Kaiden Guhle and Arber Xhekaj, the Habs concluded the season with 10 defenders. And we don’t count David Reinbacher in Laval. Kent Hughes will have choices to make this summer, as it would be surprising if four of the aforementioned defensemen start next season in Laval.
World Championship: Guhle hopes to recover from his concussion in time, Slafkovsky will be there
It was a concussion that forced Kaiden Guhle to miss the last seven games of the campaign. The defender confirmed it on Tuesday before the game against the Red Wings. This is his second concussion this season. “I have to take care of my brain,” he admitted.
The young man wants to be back in shape quickly, since he received an invitation to participate in the World Championship, which will begin on May 10 in the Czech Republic. Hockey Canada is aware that its participation is dependent on its health, he clarified.
“It’s always an honor to wear the maple leaf,” said the man who wore the maple leaf uniform four times, including two at the World Junior Championship.
“I have always found that [le Mondial] was cool, because it gives guys the chance to play meaningful matches, he continued. I hope to get there, if I’m healthy. »
Furthermore, Juraj Slafkovsky affirmed that he will be there, even if he has just played a full season of 82 games.
Joy and sadness for the Wings
In just a few minutes, the Red Wings went from one extreme to the other in their emotions.
With five seconds left in the third period, there was an explosion of joy when David Perron created the tie to force overtime, allowing the Red Wings to get a precious point. The problem is that in the moments that followed, the Washington Capitals broke a 1-1 tie against the Philadelphia Flyers to win and secure the last available playoff spot.
Word clearly got around to the Wings bench, judging by Patrick Kane’s reaction – or lack of reaction, really – after he scored the shootout winner. The Red Wings therefore miss the playoffs for an eighth year in a row, their longest streak in more than 90 years of history.