Concern is growing in Montreal after new Ivan Demidov development
Ivan Demidov and Martin St-Louis are suddenly back under the microscope after Montreal's 3-2 Game 4 loss tied the series 2-2.
The noise is easy to understand. Demidov still has 0 power-play goals in 11 playoff games, and when a tight series swings, every spot on the first unit gets picked apart.
That led to the obvious question around Montreal: should St-Louis bump Demidov off PP1 and try a different look before Game 5.
Pierre McGuire's answer was the right one. He said he would not rush to do that, because it would show panic.
He's right. You do not tear apart a producing unit just because one player has not finished his looks yet.
Demidov has 3 power-play assists in those 11 playoff games. That is not the same as a player disappearing from the unit.
In the regular season, Demidov put up 62 points in 82 games, including 7 power-play goals and 13 power-play assists. That profile says the touch is there, even if the finish has cooled off at the worst time.
Pierre McGuire: "I wouldn't be in a rush to do that. That shows a sign of panic"
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A new Ivan Demidov development is causing major concern in Montreal
Cole Caufield has 3 power-play goals and 4 power-play assists in 11 playoff games. Lane Hutson has 1 goal and 5 assists on the power play in that same span. The first unit is still creating damage.
So this should not be framed like Demidov is dragging the whole group down. If Caufield and Hutson are still driving results, St-Louis is better off staying with talent than chasing a quick fix.
The bigger problem from Game 4 is that Montreal had 7 opposition penalties and still did not build enough separation. That is a team execution issue, not just one winger's shooting drought.
Demidov also has 4 points in 11 playoff games. That is not explosive production for a 20-year-old Calder finalist, but it is not some sign that the stage is too big for him either.
This is where St-Louis has to stay calm. A young scorer can go cold for a stretch, especially in playoff hockey when every touch gets tighter and every lane closes faster.
If Montreal gets a power-play goal in Game 5 with Demidov still on the top group, this whole debate fades out fast. That is usually how these storms end.
But if St-Louis yanks him now, it sends the wrong message. It says the Canadiens are reacting to pressure instead of trusting the talent that got them here.
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MAY 13, 2026
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| G | A | PTS | ||
| Nick Foligno | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Parker Kelly | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Brett Kulak | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Matthew Boldy | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Brent Burns | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Martin Necas | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Nico Sturm | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Jack Drury | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Marcus Johansson | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Nathan MacKinnon | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Quinn Hughes | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Kirill Kaprizov | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Nicolas Roy | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Devon Toews | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Jack Ahcan | - | - | - | |
| Mackenzie Blackwood | - | - | - | |
| Ross Colton | - | - | - | |
| Brock Faber | - | - | - | |
| Marcus Foligno | - | - | - | |
| Ryan Hartman | - | - | - | |
| COMPLETE STATS | ||||