Juraj Slafkovsky’s Olympic Surge Turns Heads - and the Canadiens Are Watching Closely
Montreal fans have had a front-row seat to Juraj Slafkovsky’s breakout season, but now the rest of the hockey world is starting to catch up. The 20-year-old winger has already set a career high in goals with 21 through 57 games for the Canadiens this season, and his play on the Olympic stage is only adding fuel to his rising star.
Slafkovsky added another tally against Sweden on Saturday, bringing his total to three goals in these Olympic Games. That puts him in rare air. When you combine his current performance with the seven goals he scored during the 2022 Olympics, Slafkovsky now has 10 career Olympic goals - and he’s still under 22 years old.
That’s not just impressive - it’s historic. According to Elliotte Friedman, Slafkovsky becomes just the fourth male player ever to reach double-digit Olympic goals before turning 22.
The last to do it? Bruce Mather of Team USA, all the way back in 1948.
And Slafkovsky isn’t just padding stats - he’s climbing past legends. He’s already surpassed Alex Ovechkin’s career Olympic goal total and has now tied Jarome Iginla, doing it in fewer games.
Ovechkin played in 17 Olympic contests, Iginla in 19. Slafkovsky?
He’s done it in significantly less ice time on the Olympic stage.
Slovakia, meanwhile, has won two of its first three games in the preliminary round, locking in at least one more opportunity for Slafkovsky to add to his total. But now the tournament shifts into high gear - it’s win-or-go-home from here on out.
Back in Montreal, the Canadiens have to be watching this with a mix of pride and anticipation. Slafkovsky’s Olympic form could be a springboard for an even stronger finish to the NHL season. The Habs currently sit second in the Atlantic Division, chasing the Tampa Bay Lightning, and any extra momentum from their young star could be a difference-maker down the stretch.
Part of what’s fueled Slafkovsky’s NHL breakout is his improved efficiency. His shooting percentage has jumped from 13.5% last season to 17.9% this year - a significant leap that speaks to better shot selection, confidence, and maturity in his game.
And he’s not doing it alone. With young talents like Oliver Kapanen and Ivan Demidov making strides, and established names like Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki anchoring the lineup, Montreal’s offense is starting to look like a problem for opposing defenses - especially come playoff time.
That’s a conversation for later. For now, all eyes are on Slafkovsky as he continues to make Olympic history.
How many more goals can he add before the tournament ends? If his current pace is any indication, we might not have seen the last record fall just yet.