If you’re a Habs fan, there was a lot to like in the Montreal Canadiens’ 6-2 dismantling of the Carolina Hurricanes in game one of the Eastern Conference final. It wasn’t without its moments that reminded everyone why the Hurricanes have been touted as Stanley Cup favourites, but the Habs figured out how to use the aggression of Carolina against them. Their top line reminded everyone what they’re capable of at five-on-five, and they allowed just a single shot against in a third period they entered nursing the dreaded two-goal lead.
A lot to like, yes, but perhaps nothing more than the performance of Juraj Slafkovsky, who played arguably his best game of the playoffs.
What a goal by Juraj Slafkovsky
— Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) May 22, 2026
5-2 #Habs pic.twitter.com/WQFcLwSeQA
This is the kind of goal you pray to see from your big power forward. The kind of goal that reminds you a little of Mario Lemieux. Alright, perhaps that level of praise is a tad hyperbolic, but it was a goal that will live on any Slafkovsky highlight reel for the rest of his career. It was also essentially the final nail in the coffin for the Hurricanes in that game, at least until he scored his second into an empty net to really drive home the point that the Habs aren’t here just to be Carolina’s next sweep victim.
There has been some chatter around the first line’s performance through two series wins, and even more about Slafkovsky, primarily as to whether he’s still feeling the lingering effects from that big hit he took against Tampa. He looked like a different beast in game one against Carolina, and if he and his linemates can keep bringing what they did in game one, they look primed to have the offensive impact that everyone was clamouring for in the previous two series.
Slaf just sent Aho to the shadow realm with that spin. pic.twitter.com/LoQjCDTgyA
— Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) May 22, 2026
That line is important, and that line is at its absolute best when Slafkovsky plays like he did last night. For all the narratives about how they performed against Tampa and Buffalo, they have a chance to step up on the biggest possible stage, and try to book a ticket to the Stanley Cup final for what would be Slafkovsky’s first time.
Nick and Cole have already been there. Now is Slaf’s chance to help them get back.
Click the play button below to listen to your full Bottom Six Minutes, also available wherever you get your podcasts. We’ll be back after game two on Saturday night.
