Canadiens’ forward Juraj Slafkovsky makes self-deprecating comment about recent hits

The Montreal Canadiens will need all hands on deck for the second round when they face the top-seeded Buffalo Sabres. The Canadiens had all they could handle against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Round 1, and no one knows that more than power forward Juraj Slafkovsky.

Slafkovsky took two major hits in the first round. The first came when Brandon Hagel dropped him with a solid right hand in a fight after the whistle, while the second came when Charlie D’Astous lined him up at center ice with one of the most explosive hits of the entire first round. Speaking with reporters before the first round, Slafkovsky seemed no worse for wear, according to Sportsnet via X, formerly Twitter.

"I think I'm good. I can't really get much dumber."

Juraj Slafkovsky on whether he's feeling any ill effects from his fight and big hit in the first round

(: @CanadiensMTL) pic.twitter.com/rwUrQZi2zl

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 5, 2026

Slafkovsky had a hat trick in the Canadiens’ Game 1 win against the Lightning, but failed to record a point in the remaining six games, finishing with 18 shots and a -4 rating. Montreal will need much more from their first line, comprised of Slafkovsky, Cole Caufield, and Nick Suzuki, as they were a driving force all season and one of the league’s top lines.

The power forward had two goals in four games against the Sabres during the regular season, with each team winning two games. The good news for the Canadiens is that Suzuki played some of his best hockey against Buffalo this season, recording two goals and six assists over the four games. After an embarrassing offensive showing against the Lightning in Game 7 that still resulted in a win, head coach Martin St. Louis will need a little bit more from his forwards.

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