Slafkovsky makes Canadiens history with Game 1 hat trick
The Canadiens’ Game 1 win against the Lightning has dialed up the excitement a few more notches in Montreal, cranked the noise up plenty of decibels. Games 3 and 4 will light up Bell Centre on Friday and Sunday, the city and its fan base joyfully riding this wave.
The last time the Lightning saw postseason action in Montreal was July 5, 2021, Tampa Bay on its way to a five-game Stanley Cup championship. A year and two days later, the Canadiens would make Slafkovsky the No. 1 selection in the 2022 NHL draft.
Facing elimination that 2021 night, the Canadiens forced one more game with a 3-2 overtime win, COVID-19 restrictions limiting Bell Centre attendance to 3,500.
Both teams, and a power forward who dominated Game 1 on Sunday, can expect a much different building next weekend.
Top photo: Canadiens forward Juraj Slafkovsky (l.) celebrates one of his three goals with linemate Cole Caufield in Game 1 of Montreal’s 4-3 overtime win against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
