Juraj Slafkovský (photo: X/Canadiens Montreal)
Six games were played in the Canadian-American NHL on Monday. There were also two Slovaks in the event.
Highlights of the night
- Slafkovský and Fehérváry did not score
- Ovechkin added two more goals, but did not finish the duel
- Columbus scored two goals in the weakening
- Referee Mitch Dunning was carried away on a stretcher
- Montembeault picked up a clean sheet
MTL – EDM 3:0
Montembeault reset the Oilers, Slafkovský played with commitment
Sam Montembeault picked up his second clean sheet of the season and third of his career to make 30 saves to lead Montreal to a 3-0 win over Edmonton. Brendan Gallagher scored the opening goal, which was later followed by Kaiden Guhle and Jake Evans’ two-pointer with a safety into the empty net. Slovak striker Juraj Slafkovský he didn’t score for the third straight game, but he did a great job before scoring the game-winning goal. “It must be said that the goal would not have happened if it were not for Slafkovski’s stellar substitution. Multiple defensive plays and great attacking.” stated journalist Matt Drake. Slafkovský performed very well overall after the coach transferred him to the fourth formation in the previous meeting. During 17 minutes and 20 seconds on the ice, he scored a plus point, two shots on goal, a block and a point. His team won its second game in a row and third in the last four. The Oilers snapped a four-game point streak and lost their second game in a row. Calvin Pickard left him with 22 saves.
Stars of the duel: 1. S. Montembeault (MTL), 2. K. Guhle (MTL), 3. B. Gallagher (MTL)
UTA – WSH 2:6
Ovechkin scored two more goals before leaving the game
Alex Ovechkin followed up Sunday’s hat trick with two more goals to help Washington beat Utah 6-2 and move closer to Wayne Gretzky’s scoring record of 26 goals. However, he headed to the locker room in the third period with a suspected lower-body injury after a collision with Jack McBain. Goals from Dylan Strome, Brandon Duhaime and Alexey Protas also led to stretching the winning streak to three games and the point streak to five (4-0-1). Strome and Duhaime also added after the assist, Charlie Lindgren made 24 saves. Slovak defender Martin Fehérváry he played 20 minutes and 39 seconds, during which he recorded a plus point, a shot on goal, a block and a point. He spent up to 7 minutes and 39 seconds in weakness. McBain and Nick Bjugstad provided the goals for Utah, which lost its fifth game in the last seven. Connor Ingram scored four goals from 13 shots and was replaced by Karel Vejmelka at the beginning of the second period. He stopped nine shots out of 11. Ovechkin had two multi-goal games in two days for the fifth time in his career. He tied Dino Ciccarelli, Mario Lemieux, Jari Kurri and Maurice Richard. Only Wayne Gretzky has experienced it six times. He has already scored 178 goals against different goalkeepers, equaling Jaromir Jágr’s league record. Related:
Ovechkin was injured in a “knee-to-knee” collision, Wilson went to avenge him + video
Stars of the duel: 1. A. Ovechkin (WSH), 2. D. Strome (WSH), 3. B. Duhaime (WSH)
FOREST – CBJ 1:5
Columbus scored two shutout goals in a win over the struggling Bruins
Mathieu Olivier and Justin Danforth scored in halftime to help Columbus beat Boston 5-1. The first named was the author of the winning goal. Dmitrij Voronkov, James van Riemsdyk and Yegor Činachov also entered the score sheet. Sean Monahan had two assists. The first star of the match was Elvis Merzlikins, whose 29 shots were surpassed only by Charlie Coyle. While the Blue Jackets won their second of their last three games, the Bruins lost their third straight game and fourth of their last five. Jeremy Swayman has made 24 saves in their goal and is 5-7-2 with an 88.4% save percentage 14 games after signing the lucrative contract.
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Stars of the duel: 1. E. Merlikins (CBJ), 2. S. Monahan (CBJ), 3. Z. Werenski (CBJ)
PHI – COL 2:3
Makar scored two goals in the win over the Flyers, the referee ended up on a stretcher
Cale Makar scored twice to help Colorado to a 3-2 win over Philadelphia. Casey Mittelstadt scored the winning goal to make it 3-0 after already getting an assist. Mikko Rantanen took two from the duel. Justus Annunen’s 24 saves also led to the fourth win in the last five games. Owen Tippett and Tyson Foerster made the game dramatic in the third period, but the Flyers ended up losing their three-game winning streak and five-game point streak. Alexej Kolosov left the duel with 26 saves. He was left on a stretcher by referee Mitch Dunning, who had a fatal collision with Josh Manson in the first period. Related:
Unpleasant: The referee had to be carried away on a stretcher after an unexpected collision with an Avalanche player
Stars of the duel: 1. C. Makar (COL), 2. C. Mittelstadt (COL), 3. H. Grans (PHI)
DAL – ANA 2:4
Leason three-pointer in win over Stars
Brett Leason scored a goal and added two assists in Anaheim’s 4-2 win over Dallas, which ended the California team’s three-game winning streak. Olen Zellweger, two-pointer Cutter Gauthier and Jackson LaCombe also enjoyed goals, Lukáš Dostál helped to the third win in the last four duels with 34 saves. Only Esa Lindell and Matt Duchene found the recipe for it, which they reduced from 0:3 to 2:3 in the third period. Casey DeSmith surrendered four of 27 shots. Ducks forward Brock McGinn did not finish the duel due to a lower body injury.
Stars of the duel: 1. B. Leason (ANA), 2. C. Gauthier (ANA), 3. M. Duchene (DAL)
SJS – IT 5:4 PP
Celebrini decided in overtime to win over the Red Wings
Macklin Celebrini scored 46 seconds into overtime to give San Jose a 5-4 win over Detroit to end a three-game losing streak. Wiliam Eklund scored two goals in normal playing time to equalize the score at 1:1, respectively. 2:2. Tyler Toffoli and Luke Kunin then gave the Sharks a 4-3 lead. Alex Wennberg assisted twice, Mackenzie Blackwood blocked 16 shots. Alex DeBrincat scored a point in the 58th minute for the Red Wings, who lost their third game in a row. Before him, Dylan Larkin and Marco Kasper were also on the scoresheet, and Michael Rasmussen was also credited with a goal. Larkin also added an assist, Cam Talbot made 29 saves. Celebrini (18 years, 158 days) is the third-youngest player in NHL history with a goal in overtime, behind Sidney Crosby (18 years, 101 days) and Jordan Staal (18 years, 153 days).
Full extension:
Stars of the duel: 1. M. Celebrini (SJS), 2. W. Eklund (SJS), 3. L. Kunin (SJS)
Related:
Video: Battles of November 18, 2024 (2)
Slovaks in action
Player
Time
G
A
B
+/-
TM
S
BC
Bl
20:39
0
0
0
+1
0
1
1
1
17:20
0
0
0
+1
0
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1
1
Read on SlovakFitness.sk:
NHL Night Recap: Slovak Stars Shine, Even Without Goals!
So, ladies and gentlemen, another thrilling night in the NHL, where dreams are made, or occasionally shattered, preferably when someone else is holding the puck! Six games were played, and let’s just say, the Slovak duo of Juraj Slafkovský and Martin Fehérváry might not have made it onto the highlight reels—unless you count their almost heroic presence on the ice!
Highlights of the Night
- Slafkovský and Fehérváry didn’t score. Shocking news!
- Ovechkin: still playing like he’s 25! Added another two goals. But what’s a goal if you can’t finish the game, right?
- Columbus scored twice while down a man. They’re like a magician pulling rabbits out of a hat!
- Speaking of magic, referee Mitch Dunning got carried off on a stretcher. Not exactly the performance review you want, eh?
- Montembeault pitched a shutout—he was so good he could probably have stopped traffic!
Game Analysis
MTL – EDM 3:0
Montembeault Resets the Oilers, Slafkovský Plays Like He Thinks He’s Scoring Points!
Okay, let’s start with the good news: Sam Montembeault not only picked up his second clean sheet of the season but also managed to dodge injury—a true goaltender miracle! Juraj Slafkovský, our Slovak sensation, played 17 minutes and 20 seconds without scoring (again!), but he was so committed that I believe even his socks were sweating! According to the *expert*, Matt Drake, Slafkovský set up the winning goal. He didn’t score, but let’s just say his contributions were… well, inspirational, perhaps in a motivational poster kind of way.
UTA – WSH 2:6
Ovechkin’s Magic Continues!
Ah, Ovechkin! The man must be training with a wizard. After a hat trick, he decided to add two more goals against Utah before leaving with a suspected injury, as if he thought, “Why not keep them guessing?” Meanwhile, Martin Fehérváry clocked in a respectable time on the ice—20:39 minutes! Not a single name on the score sheet, but hey, he is the +1 superstar we didn’t know we needed.
FOREST – CBJ 1:5
Columbus Pulls Off Magic Against Struggling Bruins!
Mathieu Olivier scored the winning goal—it’s like they held a lottery and he just took home the grand prize! The first star, Elvis Merzlikins, probably stopped more shots than a caffeinated squirrel!
PHI – COL 2:3
Makar Shines; Ref Gets Carried Off!
Cale Makar scored two goals and ended up being the knight in shining armor for Colorado. But let’s talk about that referee! Mitch Dunning went from officiating to an unintended starring role in an emergency stretcher scene. Did someone forget that this isn’t a contact sport for referees?
DAL – ANA 2:4
Leason’s Three-Point Night, Ducks Swim Away!
Brett Leason scored and assisted twice—finishing strong while the Stars faded away like a bad performance in a sitcom!
SJS – IT 5:4 PP
Celebrini Steals the Show!
Macklin Celebrini scored the game winner in overtime! He’s just 18! Wasn’t I just figuring out how to tie my shoes at that age? Oh, how far we’ve come!
Slovaks in Action
| Player | Time | G | A | B | +/- | TM | S | B | Bl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M. Fehérváry (WSH) | 20:39 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| J. Slafkovský (MTL) | 17:20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Final Thoughts
So there you have it, folks! A night where two Slovaks skated hard but their names barely graced the scoreboards. But let’s remember: it’s not just about goals. Sometimes it’s about showing up and not wearing the goalie’s pads by mistake! Keep your sticks on the ice, and remember: it’s still early in the season. We’ll see what these Slovak stars can bring to the rink in the coming games!
Until next time, keep those ice skates sharp and your humor sharper!
Juraj Slafkovský (photo: X/Canadiens Montreal)
Six games were played in the Canadian-American NHL on Monday. There were also two Slovaks in the event.
Highlights of the night
- Slafkovský and Fehérváry did not score
- Ovechkin added two more goals, but did not finish the duel
- Columbus scored two goals in the weakening
- Referee Mitch Dunning was carried away on a stretcher
- Montembeault picked up a clean sheet
MTL – EDM 3:0
Montembeault reset the Oilers, Slafkovský played with commitment
Sam Montembeault delivered an impressive performance, securing his second clean sheet of the season and the third of his career, making an astounding 30 saves to lead Montreal to a commanding 3-0 victory over Edmonton. The scoring for Montreal began with Brendan Gallagher, followed by contributions from Kaiden Guhle and Jake Evans, who sealed the win with an empty-net goal. Despite Slovak forward Juraj Slafkovský not hitting the scoresheet for the third consecutive game, his contributions were invaluable in setting up the game-winning goal. As journalist Matt Drake observed, “It must be said that the goal would not have happened if it were not for Slafkovski’s stellar substitution. Multiple defensive plays and great attacking.” Slafkovský demonstrated significant improvement after being moved to the fourth line in the previous match, registering a positive plus-minus along with two shots on goal, a block, and a solid 17 minutes and 20 seconds of ice time. This victory marked Montreal’s second consecutive win and their third in the last four games, while the Oilers faltered, ending a four-game point streak with this latest loss. Goalie Calvin Pickard recorded 22 saves in the match.
Stars of the duel: 1. S. Montembeault (MTL), 2. K. Guhle (MTL), 3. B. Gallagher (MTL)
UTA – WSH 2:6
Ovechkin scored two more goals before leaving the game
Superstar Alex Ovechkin built on his recent momentum, following up a hat trick with two more goals, leading Washington to a decisive 6-2 win over Utah, inching closer to Wayne Gretzky’s remarkable scoring record. However, Ovechkin departed the game in the third period due to a suspected lower-body injury resulting from a collision with Jack McBain. Additional goals from Dylan Strome, Brandon Duhaime, and Alexey Protas contributed to Washington’s winning streak of three games and extended their point streak to five (4-0-1). Strome and Duhaime also added assists, and goaltender Charlie Lindgren made 24 saves. Slovak defender Martin Fehérváry logged impressive ice time at 20 minutes and 39 seconds, contributing positively with a plus point, a shot on goal, a block, and a point. Utah struggled, marking their fifth loss in the last seven games. Connor Ingram allowed four goals on just 13 shots, leading to Karel Vejmelka coming in to stop nine out of 11 shots. Ovechkin’s achievement of two multi-goal games in consecutive days is a feat accomplished only five times by him in his career, tying with four other NHL legends, while he matched Jaromir Jágr’s record by scoring against 178 different goaltenders.
Stars of the duel: 1. A. Ovechkin (WSH), 2. D. Strome (WSH), 3. B. Duhaime (WSH)
FOREST – CBJ 1:5
Columbus’s powerful offense sinks the struggling Bruins
Mathieu Olivier and Justin Danforth emerged as key players, scoring during crucial moments to guide Columbus to a dominant 5-1 victory over Boston. Olivier netted the game-winning goal, while Dmitrij Voronkov, James van Riemsdyk, and Yegor Činachov contributed to the score sheet, demonstrating the Blue Jackets’ offensive might. Sean Monahan notched a pair of assists, further solidifying Columbus’s strong performance. The standout player of the game, Elvis Merzlikins, showcased exceptional goalkeeping by stopping 29 shots, ensuring the Blue Jackets claimed two victories in their last three games while Boston faced their third consecutive defeat, marking their fourth loss in five outings. Jeremy Swayman faced 24 shots, ending the night with an 88.4% save percentage, underperforming after signing a lucrative contract just 14 games prior.
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Stars of the duel: 1. E. Merlikins (CBJ), 2. S. Monahan (CBJ), 3. Z. Werenski (CBJ)
PHI – COL 2:3
Makar’s two-goal performance leads Avalanche to victory over the Flyers
Cale Makar delivered an explosive performance, scoring twice to propel Colorado to a thrilling 3-2 victory over Philadelphia. Casey Mittelstadt, instrumental in the win, netted the winning goal after providing an assist, while Mikko Rantanen made his mark with two assists throughout the match. Justus Annunen contributed to the win by making 24 saves, which helped the Avalanche secure four wins out of their last five games. The Flyers made a valiant effort in the third period with goals from Owen Tippett and Tyson Foerster, but ultimately fell short, marking the end of their three-game winning streak and five-game point streak. Alexej Kolosov made 26 saves before exiting the game after referee Mitch Dunning suffered a serious injury in the first period due to a collision with Josh Manson.
Stars of the duel: 1. C. Makar (COL), 2. C. Mittelstadt (COL), 3. H. Grans (PHI)
DAL – ANA 2:4
Leason’s three-point night sparks Ducks to victory over Stars
Brett Leason had a spectacular evening, scoring a goal and adding two assists, helping Anaheim secure a 4-2 win against Dallas that brought an end to the Stars’ three-game winning streak. Contributions also came from Olen Zellweger, Cutter Gauthier, and Jackson LaCombe, who each found the net, while goaltender Lukáš Dostál made an impressive 34 saves to aid Anaheim in their third victory in the last four contests. Dallas made a late push with goals from Esa Lindell and Matt Duchene, reducing a three-goal deficit to just one in the third period. Casey DeSmith faced a challenging night, allowing four goals on 27 shots. Unfortunately, Ducks forward Brock McGinn did not finish the game due to a lower body injury.
Stars of the duel: 1. B. Leason (ANA), 2. C. Gauthier (ANA), 3. M. Duchene (DAL)
SJS – IT 5:4 PP
Celebrini’s overtime heroics lead Sharks to triumph over Red Wings
Macklin Celebrini emerged as the hero, scoring just 46 seconds into overtime to clinch a thrilling 5-4 victory for San Jose over Detroit, breaking a three-game losing streak. William Eklund was also pivotal, scoring two goals to level the score twice at 1-1 and 2-2. Tyler Toffoli and Luke Kunin contributed by giving the Sharks a short-lived 4-3 lead, while Alex Wennberg impressed with two assists. Goalie Mackenzie Blackwood made 16 saves, solidifying the Sharks’ defense. For the Red Wings, Alex DeBrincat made an impactful play with a late goal in the 58th minute, but the team ultimately faced their third consecutive loss. Detroit’s lineup also included contributions from Dylan Larkin and Marco Kasper. Celebrini, at just 18 years and 158 days old, became the third-youngest player in NHL history to score an overtime goal, following in the illustrious footsteps of Sidney Crosby and Jordan Staal.
Full extension:
Stars of the duel: 1. M. Celebrini (SJS), 2. W. Eklund (SJS), 3. L. Kunin (SJS)
Related:
Video: Battles of November 18, 2024 (2)
Slovaks in action
Player
Time
G
A
B
+/-
TM
S
BC
Bl
20:39
0
0
0
+1
0
1
1
1
17:20
0
0
0
+1
0
2
1
1
How did Alex Nedeljkovic contribute to the Sharks’ defensive efforts in the matchup?
S a lead, but Detroit fought back with strong performances, tying the game multiple times. Alex Nedeljkovic made 31 saves for the Sharks, showcasing determination and skill in net. Celebrini’s clutch performance highlighted not only his offensive prowess but also the resilience of the Sharks, who were able to capitalize on their opportunities despite the Red Wings’ fierce competition.
As both teams fought fiercely, the atmosphere was electric, culminating in a dramatic finish that kept fans on the edge of their seats. The Sharks will look to build off this momentum in their next matchup, while the Red Wings will need to regroup and focus on tighter defensive play to halt their slide.
Stars of the duel: 1. M. Celebrini (SJS), 2. W. Eklund (SJS), 3. T. Toffoli (SJS)
It’s clear that the NHL is heating up as we move deeper into the season, promising more thrilling matchups and standout performances. Make sure to tune in for more games, and don’t forget—hockey has its ups and downs, but your love for the game should always be on the up!
