Ivan Demidov is happy to face off towards Alex Ovechkin — however extra importantly, he desires to win.
The 19-year-old Russian is concentrated on serving to the Montreal Canadiens upset the top-seeded Washington Capitals within the first spherical of the NHL playoffs.
“Yeah, a bit of bit,” Demidov mentioned when requested if dealing with the Capitals captain — and Russian legend — added significance to the sequence, starting Monday in Washington. “However now I simply need to assist my workforce win.
“The Habs are a great workforce, and I simply need to assist. I need to deliver power.”
Thus far, he has performed simply that.
Chosen fifth total on the 2024 draft, Demidov has energized the Canadiens fan base since — and properly earlier than — arriving in Montreal from Russia’s KHL a bit of greater than per week in the past.
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Demidov routinely lit up social media feeds with highlight-reel performs whereas setting a KHL under-20 scoring file for SKA Saint Petersburg this season.
He lived as much as the hype in his NHL debut, dishing a slick help earlier than scoring a spectacular first NHL aim within the first interval of Montreal’s shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks final Monday.
“Actually bleeping good,” was winger Cole Caufield’s scouting report. “His drive, his compete degree, clearly his skating and puck dealing with have been actually enjoyable to observe.”
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“He’s so expert and he’s received a lot expertise. I’m positive he’s gonna get higher each sport,” added defenceman Kaiden Guhle. “It’s positively a chunk that I’m not gonna complain about.”
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Demidov had a quieter evening in his second NHL sport, however the shifty and poised winger nonetheless confirmed no signal of nervousness in Wednesday’s playoff-clinching win over the Carolina Hurricanes.
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Martin St. Louis remains to be determining the total extent of how he’ll use Demidov’s top-shelf expertise simply two video games into his NHL profession, however the potentialities are intriguing for the Canadiens head coach.
“You see his touches and his change of route, it’s actually dynamic,” St. Louis mentioned. “I knew he had that, however perhaps not at this degree.
“He will get right here on the finish of the season and he’s capable of create separation in area, it’s particular.”
Demidov has skated on the Canadiens’ second scoring line alongside Alex Newhook and Patrik Laine whereas taking reps on Montreal’s second power-play unit, which practised Saturday at CN Sports activities Advanced.
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And St. Louis hinted {that a} promotion to the highest unit might be in retailer ultimately. The Canadiens have only one power-play aim — a lucky bounce off Juraj Slafkovsky’s skate — of their final 20 makes an attempt.
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“I’ve a bunch of playing cards I can use,” he mentioned. “We received Demidov now, it’s a brand new card. I don’t know precisely how I’m gonna use all these playing cards, however we’ve got loads.”
Ovechkin mentioned he’s wanting ahead to assembly the Russian teen on the ice.
“It’s going to be an fascinating matchup. Clearly he’s a gifted man,” mentioned Ovechkin, who broke Wayne Gretzky’s file to turn out to be the NHL’s all-time main aim scorer on April 6.
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Demidov mentioned he appeared as much as Ovechkin throughout his childhood, however his true idol was Evgeni Malkin.
The legendary Pittsburgh Penguins centre impressed Demidov together with his dominant 2011-12 season, when Malkin led the league in scoring with 109 factors in 75 video games and swept the NHL awards.
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“Malkin was superior,” Demidov mentioned.
Laine, in the meantime, grew up a Capitals fan due to Ovechkin and modelled his sport after the Nice Eight. However that’s the very last thing on his thoughts heading into the sequence.
“Doesn’t matter,” Laine mentioned bluntly. “Couldn’t care much less.”
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