BROSSARD - Ivan Demidov is excited to face off against Alex Ovechkin 鈥 but more importantly, he wants to win.
The 19-year-old Russian is focused on helping the Montreal Canadiens upset the top-seeded Washington Capitals in the first round of the NHL playoffs.
鈥淵eah, a little bit,鈥 Demidov said when asked if facing the Capitals captain 鈥 and Russian legend 鈥 added significance to the series, beginning Monday in Washington. 鈥淏ut now I just want to help my team win.
鈥淭he Habs are a good team, and I just want to help. I want to bring energy.鈥
So far, he has done just that.
Selected fifth overall at the 2024 draft, Demidov has energized the Canadiens fan base since 鈥 and well before 鈥 arriving in Montreal from Russiasa国际传媒 KHL a little more than a week ago.
Demidov routinely lit up social media feeds with highlight-reel plays while setting a KHL under-20 scoring record for SKA Saint Petersburg this season.
He lived up to the hype in his NHL debut, dishing a slick assist before scoring a spectacular first NHL goal in the first period of Montrealsa国际传媒 shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks last Monday.
鈥淩eally bleeping good,鈥 was winger Cole Caufieldsa国际传媒 scouting report. 鈥淗is drive, his compete level, obviously his skating and puck handling have been really fun to watch.鈥
"He's so skilled and he's got so much talent. I'm sure he's gonna get better every game,鈥 added defenceman Kaiden Guhle. 鈥淚t's definitely a piece that I'm not gonna complain about.鈥
Demidov had a quieter night in his second NHL game, but the shifty and poised winger still showed no sign of nervousness in Wednesdaysa国际传媒 playoff-clinching win over the Carolina Hurricanes.
Martin St. Louis is still figuring out the full extent of how he鈥檒l use Demidovsa国际传媒 top-shelf talent just two games into his NHL career, but the possibilities are intriguing for the Canadiens head coach.
鈥淵ou see his touches and his change of direction, itsa国际传媒 really dynamic,鈥 St. Louis said. 鈥淚 knew he had that, but maybe not at this level. He gets here at the end of the season and hesa国际传媒 able to create separation in space, itsa国际传媒 special.鈥
Demidov has skated on the Canadiens鈥 second scoring line alongside Alex Newhook and Patrik Laine while taking reps on Montrealsa国际传媒 second power-play unit, which practised Saturday at CN Sports Complex.
And St. Louis hinted that a promotion to the top unit could be in store eventually. The Canadiens have just one power-play goal 鈥 a fortunate bounce off Juraj Slafkovskysa国际传媒 skate 鈥 in their last 20 attempts.
"I have a bunch of cards I can use,鈥 he said. 鈥淲e got Demidov now, it's a new card. I don't know exactly how I'm gonna use all these cards, but we have plenty."
Ovechkin said hesa国际传媒 looking forward to meeting the Russian youngster on the ice.
鈥淚tsa国际传媒 going to be an interesting matchup. Obviously hesa国际传媒 a talented guy," said Ovechkin, who broke Wayne Gretzky's record to become the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer on April 6.
Demidov said he looked up to Ovechkin during his childhood, but his true idol was Evgeni Malkin.
The legendary Pittsburgh Penguins centre inspired Demidov with his dominant 2011-12 season, when Malkin led the league in scoring with 109 points in 75 games and swept the NHL awards.
"Malkin was awesome,鈥 Demidov said.
Laine, meanwhile, grew up a Capitals fan because of Ovechkin and modelled his game after the Great Eight. But thatsa国际传媒 the last thing on his mind heading into the series.
鈥淒oesn鈥檛 matter,鈥 Laine said bluntly. 鈥淐ouldn鈥檛 care less.鈥
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 20, 2025.
