The Montreal Canadiens will be off until December 28 after giving themselves a Christmas present last night with a solid 5-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks.
It’s a well-deserved break for Martin St-Louis’ team, who find themselves just three points behind the Carolina Hurricanes and the final playoff spot.
By way of comparison, the Habs were nine points out of a playoff spot at the Christmas break last season.
On December 28, the Habs return to action against the same Carolina Hurricanes. This will be a very important game if the Habs are to keep their hopes alive for the spring tournament.
In short, if the Habs are so close to a playoff spot, it’s because they’ve been doing so well lately. In fact, the Habs are 3-0-1 in their last four games.
So far, the Habs have five points out of a possible six on their holiday journey.
Things are going very well, and this is largely due to the performance of the first trio.
Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky have been playing some great hockey together since they’ve been reunited, and lately it’s finally paying off.
And if we focus even more on Slafkovsky, well, he’s on a very good streak.
Slafkovsky has 4 pts in 2 games. 5 pts in 4 games.
5 games in a row without finishing in the minus.
– Maxime Truman (@MaximeTruman) December 23, 2023
The Slovakian has been enjoying a lot of success recently, and he seems to be brimming with confidence, which is really nice to see.
His two goals in the last two games are far from the best, but that’s not what’s important, because Slafkovsky is playing the right way.
He’s working hard, and he’s getting to the net using his big frame, which is paying off right now.
Slafkovsky even says that he likes to get in front of the net, and that with time, he may end up scoring goals from further away.
Slaf is so naturally funny 
pic.twitter.com/G2o1p558gt
– Habs enjoyer (@car3ypr1ce) December 23, 2023
In short, the young Slovak is playing well, which is positive for the Habs, as many hopes are pinned on him.
Slaf’s production is clearly not impressive and could certainly be better, but at least he’s playing well.
As we’ve always said, the points will come in Slaf’s case, and that’s exactly what’s happening right now.
His 12 points in 33 games aren’t unbelievable, but you have to remember that’s the same production as a certain Pierre-Luc Dubois.
It’s time to start a conversation.#GoHabsGo #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/s5mSzY4Kpi
– Shawn Fournier (@ShawnF1998) December 23, 2023
Yes, Dubois played four fewer games, but that just goes to show how hard Dubois is working this year.
Right now, the Habs are in a much better position with Slafkovsky in the lineup and his 12 points than Dubois and his 12 points.
The Habs really avoided the worst by not completing a trade with the Winnipeg Jets for Dubois.
Slaf and Dubois have the same number of points, but Slaf plays much more inspired hockey than Dubois.
The Slovakian works hard, has a great attitude, gives 100% and goes into the pay zone, which is quite the opposite of Dubois, who is rather lazy.
In short, Slafkovsky is enjoying success right now, establishing himself more and more on the first line, which is great news for the Habs.
After all, this is the trio we’d all like to see Slafkovsky play and succeed in the future.
In a gust of wind
– Let’s give credit to Martin St-Louis.
This isn’t me saying that he’s “arrived”, but these look like sustainable adjustments to his game that will be conducive to offensive contributions for a long time.
Still some work to do in terms of finishing on a consistent basis, but the game is slowing down for him lately.
– Marco D’Amico (@mndamico) December 23, 2023
– Indeed.
Five points in three games. https://t. co/wD9iWSgWNH
– Jonathan Bernier (@JBernierJDM) December 23, 2023
– The Canadiens are in a division where the competition is very tough.
A look at the Atlantic Division standings this morning #Habs #HabsIO: pic.twitter.com/IOc21qRI8y
– Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) December 23, 2023
– It’s true that it’s getting long.
When you get a notification from the @cfmontreal account but it’s not about the next coach…#CFMTL https://t.co/wdiWgsdmKx pic.twitter.com/qcOFS8ho6g
– Nilton Jorge (@NiltonJorge) December 23, 2023
– Aaron Judge’s leadership explained by my colleague Jeff Drouin.
Since I’m still a fan of leadership, it’s impossible for me to sit idly by without using my fingers to tap a heading after reading about it. And it’s even more intoxicating when the New York Yankees’ number 99, Aaron Judge, is playing… pic.twitter.com/kq6mkT5ci2
– Jeff Drouin (@JeffDrouinShow) December 23, 2023
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