MONTREAL -- Ivan Demidov scored in the first period of his highly anticipated NHL debut, but the Chicago Blackhawks spoiled the celebration, defeating the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 on Monday night, April 14, 2025. The loss marked the Canadiens' third consecutive defeat, jeopardizing their hopes of clinching a playoff spot.
Demidov, a 19-year-old Russian forward who joined the Canadiens last week, made an immediate impact, recording a goal and an assist. He assisted Juraj Slafkovsky's goal and then netted one himself, showcasing his skill and poise on the ice. Despite his efforts, the Canadiens could not secure the win, leaving them with 89 points, just four ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who have two games remaining.
Fans at the Bell Centre erupted when Demidov set up Alex Newhook's opening goal, and he was met with a thunderous ovation as he celebrated on the bench. "He has a unique blend of skill, hockey sense, deception," said Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes, highlighting Demidov's lateral movement and ability to create scoring opportunities. "Let's see how it is. He's going to adjust to a different game of hockey here."
In making his debut, Demidov became the third teenager in Canadiens history to score a goal in his NHL opener, joining the ranks of Mark Hunter (1981) and Bernie Geoffrion (1950). Demidov was the No. 5 pick in last year's NHL draft, and he had an impressive season in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), leading his team, SKA Saint Petersburg, with 49 points (19 goals, 30 assists) in 65 games. His performance set a KHL record for under-20 players, despite facing inconsistent ice time.
"In the locker room, I felt good," Demidov said after the game. "But when I got out to do my rookie lap, I guess I was nervous, because the crowd was so amazing." The atmosphere was electric, and Demidov should quickly acclimate to the intense fanfare that comes with playing for Montreal. Just last Thursday, when he arrived in Canada, a large group of Canadiens fans greeted him at Toronto Pearson Airport, eager to welcome their new star.
Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson remarked on the excitement surrounding Demidov's arrival, saying, "It obviously shows how excited our fans are. Social media kind of causes it to be way bigger than it could have ever been when I was growing up." The buzz around Demidov has been palpable, especially after his sudden arrival in Montreal. Initially expected to join the team for the 2025-26 season, Demidov signed an entry-level contract last week after being unexpectedly released by SKA, a move that allowed him to join the Canadiens earlier than anticipated.
General manager Kent Hughes, along with scout Nick Bobrov and special adviser Vincent Lecavalier, faced some criticism for visiting Demidov in Russia last December amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. However, Hughes believes that establishing relationships with the SKA organization helped facilitate Demidov's early signing. "It's always better to have established relationships, to have gotten the chance to meet them face-to-face instead of only over the phone," Hughes explained.
Despite downplaying the possibility of Demidov joining the Canadiens this season during a midseason news conference on January 8, Hughes noted that two factors contributed to the change: SKA's earlier-than-expected elimination from the KHL playoffs and the Canadiens' playoff aspirations. "If Columbus fails to win both its remaining games in regulation or if we earn at least one point against Carolina, we advance to the postseason," Hughes said, emphasizing the importance of Demidov's debut at this critical juncture.
Demidov skated with the Canadiens' extras on Saturday morning, April 12, but watched the game against the Maple Leafs from the press box that evening. His much-anticipated debut came at a crucial moment for Montreal, as they aim to secure the Eastern Conference's second wild card spot. The Canadiens have one game remaining on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, against the Carolina Hurricanes, while the Blue Jackets have two games left, starting with a visit to Philadelphia.
As the Canadiens look to bounce back from their recent losses, the focus will remain on Demidov and his potential impact on the team's playoff hopes. The energy and excitement surrounding his debut signal a new chapter for the franchise, and fans are eager to see how the young forward will continue to develop in the NHL.
