Slafkovsky's Hat Trick Leads Habs Over Lightning

0:00On April 20, Jarosh Slavkovsky just dropped a hat-trick in Game 1 of the playoffs, leading the Montreal Canadiens to a 4-3 overtime win. Over the Tampa Bay Lightning, the 22-year-old Slovakian forward scored all three goals on the power play, including the winner, proving he's living up to that number one. Overall pick from the 2022 draft. Back then, Montreal shocked everyone by taking Slavkovsky over the consensus top guy, Shane Wright. The draft was right there in their home rink, and fans were split. Some shared the bold move, others booed the six-foot-three-winger who promised to, win them over on the ice. Fast forward, and Habs fans are loving it now. T-May Goli Jocobdobs called him a big-time player, saying it validates that first picked decision from day one. Coach Martin St. Louis praised his physicality, hits, and battle winds that set the tone for the series. Slavkovsky's journey wasn't smooth rookie year. He had just four goals in 39 games, then built to 20 goals last season.

1:02This year, he hit 30 goals in the regular season, plus lets Slovakia at the Olympics, with four goals and six games for a surprise fourth place. With the Canadians as underdogs against Tampa, Slavkovsky's thriving in the spotlight, bringing grit and goals. Gain twos in two days, and he's locked in to keep the momentum rolling. From your team, powered by AI, this is NHL News Today.