Canadiens' Slafkovsky makes history with first career playoff hat trick

Montreal Canadiens forward Juraj Slafkovsky (20) reacts to scoring a goal with defenseman Lane Hutson (48) and forward Nick Suzuki (14) against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period in game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Benchmark International Arena. Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

Canadiens hero Juraj Slafkovsky makes history with first career playoff hat trick

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Apr 19, 2026 11:55 PM ET

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Entering the game as a visiting underdog, the Montreal Canadiens took a 1-0 series lead in their first-round Stanley Cup playoffs matchup on Sunday.

In beating the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3 in overtime, a former first overall pick led the way by achieving a major personal milestone.

At just 22 and taking part in only his second postseason, Juraj Slafkovsky scored three goals, all on the power-play, including the game-winner 1:22 into the extra period. Slafkovsky's trifecta of goals resulted in the first playoff hat trick of his young career.

Juraj Slafkovsky's first playoff hat trick came in only his sixth career playoff game

His first playoff hat trick came in just the sixth postseason game of his career — Montreal lost in the first round last year in five games. It also marked only the second hat trick of his NHL career in general, with the first coming just nine days prior in the regular season on April 10 against the Philadelphia Flyers.

TOUR DU CHAPEAU ET VICTOIRE DE JURAJ SLAFKOVSKY

JURAJ SLAFKOVSKY HAT TRICK OVERTIME WINNER#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/v79p8FrbsL
— x - Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) April 20, 2026

Juraj Slafkovsky is now part of an exclusive list

And in addition to his personal accomplishment, Slafkovsky made league history as well.

Slafkovsky joined 12 other players with three power-play goals in a playoff game and became the first to do so in 16 years. Prior to Sunday, Jonathan Toews was most recent from the second round in 2010.

Juraj Slafkovsky enjoyed the best season of his career in 2025-26

Slafkovsky's recent offensive surge comes on the heels of the best season of his career to date. He bought new career-highs in goals (30), assists (43) and total points (73) into the playoffs after playing in all 82 regular season games as a +9.

Slafkovsky registered just 18 goals and 51 points during the 2024-25 campaign. In four seasons, Slafkovsky has 72 goals and 112 assists for 184 points.

While it's unreasonable to expect such a young player to dominate playoff games on a regular basis, Slafkovsky continues to show he's capable of carrying the team if necessary, especially when his head coach, Martin St. Louis (ironically a Lightning legend), emboldens him to be aggressive with the puck.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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