Suspension looms after dangerous center-ice hit on Juraj Slafkovsky in game 4

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Skyler Walker
April 27, 2026  (9:14)

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Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Juraj Slafkovsky gave Martin St-Louis a scare Sunday, and Max Crozier's hit just turned into the biggest story in this series.

Late in Game 4, Slafkovsky got drilled at center ice by the Tampa Bay defenseman and went straight to the locker room after struggling to get up.

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That alone was enough to rattle the Bell Centre. Slafkovsky isn't just another winger in this matchup.

He scored the Game 1 overtime winner and opened this round with a hat trick.

Montreal already watched Tampa Bay erase a 2-0 lead Sunday night.

Losing Slafkovsky on top of a 3-2 defeat would have been a brutal swing. The series is now tied 2-2.

The first angle looked violent. The new angle made it look worse.

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Slafkovsky's head appears to take the main contact first, and that changes the conversation from a heavy playoff hit to a play the league may need to review.

That's where this gets dangerous for Crozier.

No penalty was called on the ice, but that doesn't close the file.

The Department of Player Safety reviews every game, and head contact is always where things get serious in the playoffs.

That's why a suspension now feels very much in play.

At minimum, Crozier has put himself under a spotlight the Lightning did not need with this series tightening up.

There's another layer here for Montreal.

St-Louis has leaned on Slafkovsky in every big spot because of his size, his reach, and the way he can hold pucks along the wall in a nasty series. Take that piece out, and Montreal's top six changes fast.

TheScore reported that Slafkovsky did return for the third period, which eases one fear for the Canadiens. But that return doesn't erase what the replay showed or quiet the debate around the hit itself.

Now the wait shifts to the league. If that new angle is the one Player Safety studies most closely, Crozier may be waking up to more than just a rough morning after Game 4.

Previously

Police issue urgent warning after dangerous scene outside the Bell Centre during game

Controversial call rocks crucial overtime game and leaves fans furious

Canucks GM race heats up as fresh developments emerge

POLL
AVRIL 27   |   590 ANSWERS Suspension looms after dangerous center-ice hit on Juraj Slafkovsky in game 4 Should Max Crozier be suspended for the hit on Juraj Slafkovsky ?
Yes	375	63.6 %
No	215	36.4 %
LIST OF POLLS

À LIRE

Il y a 28 minutes  |  Par Patrick Dragon Ce que Martin St-Louis a fait à l’entraînement ce matin n’est pas passé inaperçu

Il y a 2 heures  |  Par William Nadeau Le salaire inattendu de Martin St-Louis avec le Canadien est confirmé et c'est du jamais vu dans la LNH

Il y a 4 heures  |  Par William Nadeau Gavin McKenna révèle l’équipe de la LNH pour laquelle il rêve de jouer

Il y a 4 heures  |  Par Patrick Dragon Ça vient d’être confirmé par Martin St-Louis pour Arber Xhekaj avant le match contre les Sabres

Il y a 6 heures  |  Par Patrick Dragon David Pagnotta confirme ce qu’on pensait sur la rumeur de congédiement de Jon Cooper

Il y a 8 heures  |  Par Patrick Dragon Nikita Kucherov passe son message au DG du Lightning et ça pourrait être terminé pour lui à Tampa Bay

Il y a 9 heures  |  Par William Nadeau Le Lightning offre un dernier cadeau au Canadien après son élimination en première ronde

Il y a 9 heures  |  Par William Nadeau Coup de théâtre et du renfort débarque en attaque avant le match entre le Canadien et des Sabres

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