Ivan Demidov of the Montreal Canadiens (93) steps onto the ice during the first period of an NHL game against the Chicago Blackhawks in Montreal on Monday, April 14, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
In a highly awaited debut, Ivan Demidov put on an exciting show with a goal and an assist, but the Montreal Canadiens' playoff hopes took a hit as they lost 4-3 in a shootout to the Chicago Blackhawks. Despite Demidov's performance, the Canadiens missed a chance to clinch a playoff spot, leaving them with one more opportunity.
Chicago’s Frank Nazar sealed the victory with a shootout goal after an initial no-goal call was overturned. The Blackhawks, trailing 2-0 early in the game, fought back with three straight goals from Tyler Bertuzzi, Lukas Reichel, and Nazar, giving them a 3-2 lead. Arvid Soderblom played a crucial role, stopping 18 shots in goal for Chicago.
Montreal managed to tie the game late, with Juraj Slafkovsky scoring on the power play and Alex Newhook also finding the net for the Canadiens. However, it wasn’t enough, and Montreal, which had a chance to secure the Eastern Conference's second wild-card spot, failed to capitalize on their opportunity for the third time in a row. Sam Montembeault made 22 saves but couldn’t prevent the loss.
In a highlight of the game, Lane Hutson reached a milestone with 65 points, breaking the franchise record for the most points by a rookie defenceman, surpassing Chris Chelios. Demidov, a 19-year-old Russian drafted fifth overall last year, made an immediate impact. He assisted on Newhook’s goal early on and scored himself with a beautiful deke during the first period, thrilling the Bell Centre crowd.
The Canadiens, who have 89 points, still hold a slim lead over the Columbus Blue Jackets in the wild-card race, but they must win their final game against the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday. The Blue Jackets, with two remaining games, are hot on their heels, making the race for a playoff spot even tighter.
Key Moments and Takeaways:
- The Blackhawks came back from a 2-0 deficit, capitalizing on two power-play goals to tie the game.
- The Canadiens struggled in the second period, with Montembeault saving the team from further damage.
- Demidov's debut left a lasting impression, with fans at the Bell Centre giving him a standing ovation after his early contributions.
- Demidov became just the third teenager in Canadiens history to score in his NHL debut, joining legends like Mark Hunter and Bernie Geoffrion.
As the Canadiens head into their final regular-season game, all eyes will be on whether they can secure a playoff berth.
