The Montreal Canadiens traveled to Colorado on Tuesday night to take on the Avalanche at Ball Arena. Facing a formidable opponent, as the Avalanche had not lost a home game since mid-February, posed a significant challenge for Martin St-Louis’ team.

Despite the odds, the Habs pulled off a hard-fought 2-1 victory, buoyed by exceptional goaltending at crucial moments, a historic performance from the youngest player on the roster, and a remarkable individual display from a seasoned veteran.

Here’s a closer look at the key moments that led to their victory!

Captain’s Response

Throughout the season, captain Nick Suzuki has consistently led the charge for the Montreal Canadiens.

In an impressive display of resilience, Suzuki wasted no time in responding to Colorado’s opening goal, finding the back of the net in less than 10 seconds to notch his 29th goal of the season. This achievement also marked a personal milestone for Suzuki, as he surpassed his previous career high in points, reaching a total of 67 for the season. Considering Suzuki’s age and trajectory, at just 24 years old, there’s strong anticipation that his best performances are still ahead of him.

Similarly, young talent Juraj Slafkovsky continues to showcase his potential, remaining one of the NHL’s youngest players. The 19-year-old contributed to Suzuki’s goal with an assist, a noteworthy achievement for several reasons.

This assist extended Slafkovsky’s impressive point streak to eight games, while also elevating his season totals to 40 points. Notably, this feat ties him with franchise legend Henri Richard for the most points in a season by a teenager in Canadiens history. Although Richard turned 20 during his record-setting season, Slafkovsky’s accomplishment stands alone as a testament to his burgeoning talent, underscoring his significance to the team’s future success.

The most significant aspect is the emergence of the youngest player in the lineup, who has been gradually defining his presence in the NHL, demonstrating that he’s only beginning to tap into his potential.

Despite his youth, he’s been entrusted with a role on the top line, tasked with competing against the opposing team’s top players, and he’s handling this challenge admirably. What adds intrigue is the realization that he still has a few years before reaching his statistical prime.

Highlighting the optimism surrounding his sophomore season, it’s worth noting that Slafkovsky has amassed 26 of his 40 points this season while playing away games, underlining his ability to perform consistently regardless of the venue.