Slafkovsky’s OT hat trick

Juraj Slafkovsky gave Montreal Game 1 with a hat trick, scoring the winner 1:22 into overtime in a 4-3 road victory over Tampa Bay on April 19. (nhl.com) All three of Slafkovsky’s goals came on the power play against Andrei Vasilevskiy, and the overtime finish came from the left circle after Tampa Bay took another penalty in sudden death. (nhl.com) The 20-year-old winger became the first Canadiens player to score three power-play goals in a Stanley Cup Playoff game, according to NHL.com. Montreal goalie Jakub Dobes said afterward, “He’s a big-time player.” (nhl.com 1) (nhl.com 2) The night landed differently because Montreal entered the postseason as a team back in the playoffs for a second straight season, not as a one-off upset bid. The Canadiens clinched on April 5 and finished the regular season with 106 points, level with Tampa Bay in the Atlantic Division standings. (nhl.com) (espn.com) Slafkovsky’s breakout also tracks with how Montreal built this roster. The Canadiens drafted him No. 1 overall in 2022, making him the first Slovakia-born player taken first in an NHL draft. (nhl.com) Reaction spread quickly through playoff highlight clips and fan commentary after the game, including NHL video of the overtime goal and YouTube reaction posts built around the finish. (youtube.com) (nhl.com) (youtube.com) The series moved straight to Game 2 in Tampa on Tuesday, April 21, with Montreal carrying a 1-0 lead and Slafkovsky coming off the first playoff hat trick of his career. (nhl.com) (nbcsports.com)