Blackhawks vs Canadiens 4-3: Demidov shines but Canadiens miss out on playoffs
Ivan Demidov registered a goal and an assist in his NHL debut, but the Montreal Canadiens missed the chance to clinch a Stanley Cup Playoff berth in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks at Bell Centre on Monday.
Demidov, 19, signed with Montreal on April 8 after completing his season with SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL. Selected fifth overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, he became the second-youngest player in Canadiens history to score in his debut.
“It's crazy,” Demidov said. “I feel that the fans love me and it’s cool. Yeah, it’s amazing.”
Montreal (39-31-11) led twice but fell to its third straight loss (0-1-2). Juraj Slafkovsky tied the game late in the third period with a power-play goal, while Sam Montembeault made 22 saves.
The Canadiens remain four points ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who hold a game in hand, for the second wild card in the Eastern Conference. Their final regular-season game is against the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday.
“At the end of the day, it’s still a big point and we’re going to keep going,” Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis said.
Frank Nazar scored once in regulation and again in the shootout for Chicago (24-46-11), which has taken points in four of its last five games. Arvid Soderblom stopped 18 shots.
“They needed to win this game to secure a playoff spot,” Nazar said. “We just prepared and had a plan.”
Demidov assisted on the opening goal at 6:00, outskating defender Connor Murphy and finding Alex Newhook in the slot. Demidov doubled the lead at 13:32, chasing a loose puck behind the net and beating Soderblom with a backhand.
“It was elite execution, a little deception to the backhand,” St. Louis said. “It was really nice.”
Chicago replied through Tyler Bertuzzi on the power play late in the first period, followed by Nazar’s equaliser at 16:41 of the second, also on the power play. Lukas Reichel gave the visitors a 3-2 lead early in the third on a breakaway.
Slafkovsky tied it at 17:03, deflecting a Cole Caufield shot off his skate and then off Soderblom’s. Nazar netted the only goal in the shootout to seal the win.
“I’m proud of our guys,” Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno said. “To come back and find a way to get the win in the shootout, it’s exciting for our group.”
Lane Hutson recorded his 65th point of the season, breaking Chris Chelios’ rookie record for most points by a Canadiens defenceman. His total ties Ray Bourque for fifth all-time among rookie defencemen in NHL history.
Demidov is the eighth teenager in league history to post multiple points in the first period of his NHL debut.