Habs' Slafkovsky seeks consistency: My season 'is an embarrassment'

Montreal Canadiens forward Juraj Slafkovsky is proud of his performance in Saturday's victory over the Ottawa Senators, but he thinks he needs to make an impact more consistently to improve on what he views as a disappointing campaign.

"I feel like this season is an embarrassment from my side," Slafkovsky told The Athletic's Arpon Basu. "After the ending of last year - 30 games, 30 points - and then I come out here, and playing like junior hockey and not doing anything.

"I've been thinking about it for two weeks that I've got to change something."

Slafkovsky registered a goal, five shots, eight hits, and a spirited fight with Ridly Greig in Montreal's return from the 4 Nations break. He hopes to use the game as a blueprint moving forward.

"I want this to be my standard every night," Slafkovsky said. "I've just got to do it again."

He added: "You see that it's working, and you just want to keep that. Just have to translate it to next game, because that's been an issue this year."

Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki, who is Slafkovsky's linemate, said in January the former first overall pick is "definitely too hard on himself" when assessing his performances.

Slafkovsky's notched eight goals and 22 assists in 53 games on the campaign, putting him below last season's pace of 50 points. His average ice time (16:52) is also down a full minute from last year.

Montreal is five points back of a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.