Under the dazzling lights of Las Vegas, as the final seconds ticked away and the scoreboard glowed with a stunning 4-1 Canadiens victory, an image emerged that instantly stole the show—Juraj Slafkovsky, arms raised in triumph, only to wobble, slide, and crash into Nick Suzuki for a celebration that was as awkward as it was unforgettable. The Golden Knights fans, still reeling from their team’s defeat, watched as the young Montreal star’s botched “celly” turned a routine empty-net goal into the most talked-about moment of the night.

It wasn’t just a goal—it was a spectacle. Slafkovsky, skating with all the exuberance of a player who knows he’s sealed the win, tried to punctuate the moment with a flourish. But in a split second, his skates betrayed him, sending him off-balance and into the path of Suzuki, who could only laugh as he was swept into an impromptu, slightly clumsy embrace. The scene, captured from every angle and replayed across social media, instantly went viral. Fans joked that Slafkovsky looked like he was proposing to Suzuki, while others declared it the funniest celebration of the season.

For a team that has weathered its share of adversity on this West Coast trip, the lightheartedness was a breath of fresh air. The Canadiens had come into Vegas facing the formidable Golden Knights—a roster stacked with talent, a hostile crowd, and the pressure of closing out a demanding road swing. Early on, Montreal struggled to find its rhythm, but as the game wore on, they seized control. Samuel Montembeault was a fortress in net, stopping 30 shots, including nine on the penalty kill, and exuding a confidence that had been missing from his game in recent weeks.

The offense came alive as well. Zachary Bolduc, Cole Caufield, and Slafkovsky each notched two points, with Jake Evans and newcomer Alexandre Texier chipping in to round out a balanced attack. The Habs dictated the pace, capitalized on their chances, and never let Vegas settle into their comfort zone. Mark Stone’s lone goal for the Golden Knights was a mere blip in an otherwise dominant Montreal performance.

Yet, when the final buzzer sounded, it was Slafkovsky’s celebration—not his goal—that captured the imagination of fans and teammates alike. The laughter echoed through the locker room and spilled onto social media, where memes and jokes multiplied by the minute. For a young player still carving out his identity in the NHL, the moment was a reminder that hockey is as much about joy and camaraderie as it is about grit and execution.

As the Canadiens head home, the botched “celly” stands as a symbol of something deeper—a team rediscovering its spark, a group of young stars learning to embrace the spotlight, and a fanbase hungry for moments that transcend the box score. The West Coast trip may prove to be a turning point in Montreal’s season, but it’s Slafkovsky’s slip-and-slide celebration that will live on as the perfect snapshot of a team having fun, winning big, and refusing to take itself too seriously.

Photo of Suzuki and Slafkovsky celebrating vs the Vegas Golden Knights

Photo credit: All Montreal Hockey

The Montreal Canadiens once again surprised a lot of people by going to get a big 4-1 win in Las Vegas during a very important game.

Friday afternoon’s game marked the end of an important part of their West Coast trip.

And this trip is starting to look like a real turning point for the team. The Habs knew this matchup wasn’t going to be easy, because the Golden Knights are a big team loaded with talent. On top of that, they also needed to bounce back after a tough schedule.

Aside from a more difficult start to the game, the Canadiens nevertheless dictated the pace. The work started in net. Samuel Montembeault was solid from start to finish and quieted the home crowd multiple times.

He shut the door on the power play with nine shots directed his way, and he showed real confidence in tight moments. Something we hadn’t really seen much from him this season!

At the same time, the Habs were opportunistic. Zachary Bolduc scored the first goal after a precise play with Juraj Slafkovsky. Cole Caufield then doubled the lead with a sharp shot from the corner. Jake Evans added the third goal after a nice pass from Alexandre Texier.

On the other side, it was Mark Stone who scored the Golden Knights’ only goal. Finally, Slafkovsky finished into an empty net after a good effort from Nick Suzuki.

The completely botched celebration by Slafkovsky is making everyone laugh

The moment everyone is talking about is not Slaf’s goal… It’s the celebration!

Slafkovsky went to score into an empty net and the game was out of reach. And then, Juraj tried a little quick celebration. But his skates crossed, he completely lost his balance, and he ended up giving a somewhat awkward hug to Nick Suzuki who happened to be passing by.

The images are pretty funny.

You can see Slafkovsky raise his arms, then slide slightly as if he had forgotten what he wanted to do. Several fans wrote that it was one of the funniest celebrations of the season.

Honestly, I think it shows a nice lightness in the team, and it feels good to see a young player like him having fun.