Coach Martin St-Louis’ Lineup Changes
When Coach Martin St-Louis of the Montreal Canadiens announced his lineup for the matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night, it sparked curiosity about Juraj Slafkovsky‘s response after being demoted from the first line. Zachary Bolduc earned a spot to play with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, pushing the 21-year-old Slovak to a secondary line alongside Oliver Kapanen and Ivan Demidov.
Slafkovsky’s Performance Metrics
Historically, Slafkovsky has primarily been paired with the Canadiens’ top offensive players, yet he hasn’t matched their scoring capacity, which aligns with expectations; his draft selection was based on a different skill set focused on physical presence rather than finesse.
Slafkovsky’s contribution is defined by his ability to leverage his size to retrieve puck possession and support his teammates in offensive plays. His performance metrics indicate that he scored on only 23.1% of goals during even-strength play and 39.1% on power plays while on the ice. His points per 60 minutes are recorded at a modest 1.6, even though his performance in the previous season showed promise with 2.2 points per 60 minutes and a total of 51 points, achieving 65.1% of his scoring at even strength. Despite a downturn in productivity this season, projected at just 39 points, he has previously demonstrated a capability for greater output.
Positive Changes and Future Outlook
Recognizing the need for change, St-Louis took the opportunity to adjust the lineup, a decision that Slafkovsky appeared to embrace positively. Throughout the game, he exhibited enhanced energy and focused skating. His placement with rookie Ivan Demidov—a potential candidate for rookie of the year—may have positively influenced his performance, showcasing the skills of the young Russian.
Although Slafkovsky did not register any points, he made valuable contributions by providing screens, notably allowing Lane Hutson to equalize with under two minutes remaining in regulation.
While establishing chemistry takes time, Monday night indicated promising signs for Slafkovsky and his line, even in the face of stiff competition from one of the Blue Jackets’ strongest lines. As the Canadiens return to home ice, it will be intriguing to see how St-Louis decides to utilize these line combinations moving forward in the season.
