The Montreal Canadiens started the playoffs with a bang, delivering an outright classic in their Game 1 showdown against the Tampa Bay Lightning. A lot was expected of these young Canadiens. Their offense clicked at the right time, and the group stayed composed under pressure, showing their growth. They were able to manage crucial moments, especially with one player taking over the game.
That breakout performance even caught the attention of a Canadiens defenseman’s mother, who reacted in disbelief as Juraj Slafkovsky’s 3-goal outburst unfolded.
Juraj Slafkovsky’s Hat Trick Stuns Arber Xhekaj’s Mom As Canadiens Take Game 1
Slafkovsky delivered his NHL career’s best offensive effort in Montreal’s 2026 playoff opener, scoring 3 goals to lead the team to a 4-3 overtime win against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday.
His performance came on the power play, where he converted all three chances, including the game-winner just 1:22 into overtime. The finish gave Montreal a 1-0 lead in the series and set the tone early.
Slafkovsky’s impact placed him in rare company within the franchise. He became the first Canadiens player to score three power-play goals in a single playoff game and joined a short list of players in team history to record a hat trick with an overtime winner. At 22, he also became one of the youngest players in NHL history to achieve that combination in the postseason.
The performance drew reactions beyond the locker room. Simona Xhekaj, the mother of Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj, shared her response on X after watching the moment unfold. She reposted the clip and wrote, “Are you kidding me, Juraj? Not sure how am I going to sleep,” capturing the excitement surrounding the play.
After the game, Slafkovsky himself explained his approach on the winning play. “I found some open space there and decided to shoot it. Thankfully, it went in,” he said. “We’re real happy, but we’ve got to stay focused. We’ve got another game in two days, so we’ve got to make sure we’re prepared for that.”
Montreal’s overall effort supported Slafkovsky’s night. Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield each recorded two assists, helping the team capitalize on 3 of 5 power-play opportunities. Josh Anderson added another goal, while goaltender Jakub Dobes made 20 saves to hold off Tampa Bay’s late push.
The Lightning got two goals from Brandon Hagel, but they struggled with discipline, which allowed Montreal to control special teams. That edge proved decisive, especially in overtime when a late penalty created the opening for Slafkovsky’s winner.
This result fits a broader trend for the Canadiens, who have shown increasing offensive bursts in recent games. A late-season game included three goals in 55 seconds against the New York Islanders, showing their skill in generating quick scoring runs.
As the series continues, Montreal will aim to carry this momentum into Game 2.
