Ivan Demidov is worked up to face off towards Alex Ovechkin — however extra importantly, he needs to win.
The 19-year-old Russian is targeted on serving to the Montreal Canadiens upset the top-seeded Washington Capitals within the first spherical of the NHL playoffs.
“Yeah, slightly bit,” Demidov mentioned when requested if dealing with the Capitals captain — and Russian legend — added significance to the collection, starting Monday in Washington. “However now I simply need to assist my group win.
“The Habs are a superb group, and I simply need to assist. I need to carry vitality.”
To this point, he has accomplished simply that.
Chosen fifth general on the 2024 draft, Demidov has energized the Canadiens fan base since — and nicely earlier than — arriving in Montreal from Russia’s KHL slightly greater than per week in the past.
Demidov routinely lit up social media feeds with highlight-reel performs whereas setting a KHL under-20 scoring file for SKA Saint Petersburg this season.
He lived as much as the hype in his NHL debut, dishing a slick help earlier than scoring a spectacular first NHL aim within the first interval of Montreal’s shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks final Monday.
“Actually bleeping good,” was winger Cole Caufield’s scouting report. “His drive, his compete stage, clearly his skating and puck dealing with have been actually enjoyable to observe.”
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“He’s so expert and he’s received a lot expertise. I’m certain he’s gonna get higher each recreation,” added defenceman Kaiden Guhle. “It’s undoubtedly a chunk that I’m not gonna complain about.”
Demidov had a quieter evening in his second NHL recreation, however the shifty and poised winger nonetheless confirmed no signal of nervousness in Wednesday’s playoff-clinching win over the Carolina Hurricanes.
Martin St. Louis continues to be determining the complete extent of how he’ll use Demidov’s top-shelf expertise simply two video games into his NHL profession, however the prospects are intriguing for the Canadiens head coach.
“You see his touches and his change of course, it’s actually dynamic,” St. Louis mentioned. “I knew he had that, however perhaps not at this stage.
“He will get right here on the finish of the season and he’s capable of create separation in area, it’s particular.”
Demidov has skated on the Canadiens’ second scoring line alongside Alex Newhook and Patrik Laine whereas taking reps on Montreal’s second power-play unit, which practised Saturday at CN Sports activities Advanced.
And St. Louis hinted {that a} promotion to the highest unit might be in retailer ultimately. The Canadiens have only one power-play aim — a lucky bounce off Juraj Slafkovsky’s skate — of their final 20 makes an attempt.
“I’ve a bunch of playing cards I can use,” he mentioned. “We received Demidov now, it’s a brand new card. I don’t know precisely how I’m gonna use all these playing cards, however we’ve got loads.”
Ovechkin mentioned he’s wanting ahead to assembly the Russian teen on the ice.
“It’s going to be an fascinating matchup. Clearly he’s a gifted man,” mentioned Ovechkin, who broke Wayne Gretzky’s file to develop into the NHL’s all-time main aim scorer on April 6.
Demidov mentioned he appeared as much as Ovechkin throughout his childhood, however his true idol was Evgeni Malkin.
The legendary Pittsburgh Penguins centre impressed Demidov together with his dominant 2011-12 season, when Malkin led the league in scoring with 109 factors in 75 video games and swept the NHL awards.
“Malkin was superior,” Demidov mentioned.
Laine, in the meantime, grew up a Capitals fan due to Ovechkin and modelled his recreation after the Nice Eight. However that’s the very last thing on his thoughts heading into the collection.
“Doesn’t matter,” Laine mentioned bluntly. “Couldn’t care much less.”
© 2025 The Canadian Press
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