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Montreal’s Rising Star Faces Ovechkin in Playoff Showdown
Ivan Demidov is thrilled at the prospect of going up against Alex Ovechkin, but his primary focus is on securing a victory. The 19-year-old Russian player is determined to help the Montreal Canadiens overcome the heavily favored Washington Capitals in their first-round playoff matchup.
“Yes, a little,” Demidov acknowledged regarding the significance of facing off against a fellow Russian legend. “But ultimately, I want to contribute to my team’s success.”
“The Habs are a strong team, and I aim to bring energy,” he added.
Demidov has already begun to make an impact since being drafted fifth overall in 2024. His arrival from Russia’s KHL has energized the Canadiens fan base both during and prior to his official debut in Montreal just over a week ago.
In his transition to the NHL, Demidov has quickly displayed the skills that made him a standout in the KHL, most notably breaking the under-20 scoring record for SKA Saint Petersburg this past season. He made a vibrant first impression in the NHL by providing an assist and netting a sensational goal in his debut game against the Chicago Blackhawks, which ended in a shootout loss for Montreal.
“He was really impressive,” praised teammate Cole Caufield. “His drive and skill level, especially his skating and puck handling, have been a joy to watch.”
Teammate Kaiden Guhle noted, “His talent is undeniable. I’m confident he’ll improve with every game, which is something we can all be excited about.”
Despite a quieter performance in his second game, Demidov showed composure during the Canadiens’ decisive playoff-clinching win over the Carolina Hurricanes, exhibiting little sign of nerves.
Head coach Martin St. Louis is still figuring out how to fully leverage Demidov’s exceptional abilities early in his NHL career. “You can see his dynamic play and ability to change direction,” St. Louis remarked. “I knew he had talent, but witnessing it at this level has been impressive.”
Demidov has been slotted on the Canadiens’ second scoring line alongside Alex Newhook and Patrik Laine, while also taking turns on the second power-play unit, which practiced recently at CN Sports Complex.
St. Louis hinted at the potential for a promotion to the top power-play unit, especially given the team’s struggles, having scored only once in their last 20 attempts. “I have several options at my disposal,” St. Louis said. “Demidov adds another layer. It will take some time to determine how best to use everyone.”
Ovechkin is eagerly anticipating the matchup, recognizing Demidov’s talents. “It’ll definitely be an interesting encounter,” he stated, having recently surpassed Wayne Gretzky to become the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer on April 6.
Demidov has expressed admiration for Ovechkin since childhood, though he cites Evgeni Malkin as his primary idol. Inspired by Malkin’s phenomenal 2011-12 season, when he achieved 109 points in 75 games and swept multiple NHL awards, Demidov paved his own path to the NHL.
In contrast, Laine, who grew up idolizing Ovechkin and the Capitals, emphasized that personal history will not affect their game plan. “It’s irrelevant now,” Laine remarked decisively. “Winning is all that matters.”
Source
globalnews.ca