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The Montreal Canadiens wrapped up a challenging season filled with unexpected twists. What began as a problematic campaign, with the team sitting at the bottom of the standings in November, evolved into a gripping race for playoff contention. After a commendable victory over Ottawa, they had the opportunity to not only secure a playoff spot but also challenge the Senators for the first wild card position.
However, despite their aspirations, the Canadiens fell short against the Senators, losing 5-2, which means their playoff hopes will extend into next season.
Wilde Horses
While team morale faced a setback, individual performances shone through. Captain Nick Suzuki progressed toward the remarkable milestone of 90 points, netting his 87th point during the game. This came after a strong assist from Juraj Slafkovsky, marking Suzuki’s impressive tally of 35 points over his last 23 games since the Four Nations break, showcasing his offensive prowess.
Suzuki now holds the record for the highest points by a Canadiens player this century, surpassing Alexei Kovalev’s 84-point season in 2008. For a team that has struggled offensively for years, Suzuki’s achievements are a vital turning point. He has recorded a point in seven consecutive games, eyeing his 30th goal with just one to go, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished by a Canadiens player since Pierre Turgeon in 1996.
Wilde Goats
The Canadiens continued their trend of poor starts, conceding a goal just 28 seconds into the match against the Senators. Despite having key players like Suzuki and strong defensemen Lane Hutson and Kaiden Guhle on the ice, the defense faltered, allowing Shane Pinto to score from a close range. This lack of first-period focus has plagued the team, yet they managed a six-game winning streak leading into this match.
The struggling power play remains a point of concern, currently ranked 23rd in the league since the start of the Four Nations break. The Canadiens could benefit from the addition of talented playmaker Ivan Demidov, who is expected to bring fresh energy to this struggling unit. His absence in the current power play setup has meant missed opportunities, particularly with Slafkovsky’s difficulty in handling pressure, affecting his performance.
With this latest loss, Ottawa has almost locked in the first wild card spot, leaving the Canadiens needing to regroup quickly ahead of their match against the Maple Leafs. The defeat showcased the emotional toll of six consecutive wins, highlighting the need for renewed intensity before the season wraps up.
As they prepare for the Maple Leafs, Montreal also holds a glimmer of hope that three other teams fighting for playoff survival may falter, potentially easing the Canadiens’ path moving forward.
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In an otherwise quiet night in April, a livestream of double doors at Pearson Airport in Toronto captivated Canadiens fans, anticipating the arrival of Ivan Demidov. Though the event itself seemed mundane—him merely walking through the door—it quickly became a cultural moment with over 480,000 views, illustrating the hunger for talent among Montreal fans.
Upon arriving, Demidov did not engage with the media due to a long travel day but will join the Canadiens shortly for practice. While he won’t debut against Toronto, there’s buzz surrounding his potential impact on the team.
Demidov has chosen jersey number 93—a symbolic nod to the last year the Canadiens won the Stanley Cup. Fans hope he represents a new dawn for the franchise, which hasn’t experienced championship success in over three decades. As a player predicted to draw comparisons to stars like Nikita Kucherov, Demidov carries high expectations with him.
Having set the KHL record for points in a season for a draft-plus-one player, he’s anticipated to compete for the Calder Trophy in his rookie season. The Canadiens enter the final stretch of their rebuild, with heightened expectations as they seek to emerge as playoff contenders in the near future.
The excitement around Demidov’s arrival is palpable, reflecting the passion of Canadiens fans who have yearned for a superstar to rally behind, transforming seemingly mundane moments into viral sensations.
Source
globalnews.ca