Habs' 2020 1st overall pick Juraj Slafkovsky gets flattened by Hawks forward Jason Dickinson and was slow to get up
Through the first quarter of the season, the growing pains have been evident for 2022 1st overall pick Juraj Slafkovsky. Not only has Slafkovsky been held to just 5 points through 16 games this season, but he has shown questionable judgement for a hit from behind that landed him a 2-game suspension this season. His questionable judgement also extends to not adequately protecting himself from opposing hits, putting himself in vulnerable positions. On Friday, it cost him.
Just over five minutes into the third period during the Canadiens' game against the Chicago Blackhawks, Slafkovsky, took a huge hit from Hawks forward Jason Dickinson. Slafkovsky was very slow to get up.
There was no call on the hit, which left the 18-year-old shaken up and garnered a response from his teammates.
Slafkovsky was good to go by the end of the game as he returned to the bench. However, he didn't take another shift until OT. The Habs went on to beat the Blackhawks 3-2 in a shootout. And luckily for Habs fans, Slakovsky seems to have avoided any serious injury as a result of the hit. Of course, anytime we're dealing with something that could be a head injury, we often don't know the extent of the damage until later on. Given the fact that Slafkovsky appeared to be labouring, we'll have to see whether or not he misses any time.
