The sophomore slump has come at multiple angles and levels for Jesperi Kotkaniemi. He was playing the right way to start the season in hopes of building off a decent rookie year with the Montreal Canadiens. Unfortunately, the production wasn’t there despite playing with Joel Armia and Artturi Lehkonen, who were finding their ways to score.
Injuries were starting to get in the way, including a concussion that kept Kotkaniemi off the team when they were already ridden with absences. His return was electric scoring goals in back-to-back games against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers.