BROSSARD ā Ivan Demidov is excited to face off against Alex Ovechkin ā 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.
āYeah, a little bit,ā Demidov said when asked if facing the Capitals captain ā and Russian legend ā added significance to the series, beginning Monday in Washington. āBut now I just want to help my team win.
āThe Habs are a good team, and I just want to help. I want to bring energy.ā
So far, he has done just that.
Selected fifth overall at the 2024 draft, Demidov has energized the Canadiens fan base since ā and well before ā arriving in Montreal from Russiaās 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 Montrealās shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks last Monday.
āReally bleeping good,ā was winger Cole Caufieldās scouting report. āHis drive, his compete level, obviously his skating and puck handling have been really fun to watch.ā
"He's so skilled and he's got so much talent. I'm sure he's gonna get better every game,ā added defenceman Kaiden Guhle. āIt's definitely a piece that I'm not gonna complain about.ā
Demidov had a quieter night in his second NHL game, but the shifty and poised winger still showed no sign of nervousness in Wednesdayās playoff-clinching win over the Carolina Hurricanes.
Martin St. Louis is still figuring out the full extent of how heāll use Demidovās top-shelf talent just two games into his NHL career, but the possibilities are intriguing for the Canadiens head coach.
āYou see his touches and his change of direction, itās really dynamic,ā St. Louis said. āI knew he had that, but maybe not at this level. He gets here at the end of the season and heās able to create separation in space, itās special.ā
Demidov has skated on the Canadiensā second scoring line alongside Alex Newhook and Patrik Laine while taking reps on Montrealās 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 ā a fortunate bounce off Juraj Slafkovskyās skate ā in their last 20 attempts.
"I have a bunch of cards I can use,ā he said. āWe 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 heās looking forward to meeting the Russian youngster on the ice.
āItās going to be an interesting matchup. Obviously heās 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,ā Demidov said.
Laine, meanwhile, grew up a Capitals fan because of Ovechkin and modelled his game after the Great Eight. But thatās the last thing on his mind heading into the series.
āDoesnāt matter,ā Laine said bluntly. āCouldnāt care less.ā
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 20, 2025.
Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press
