Ivan Demidov, the 19-year-old forward for the Montreal Canadiens, is set to face off against the legendary Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals in the playoffs. Demidov, drafted fifth overall, has already made waves with his play, including a record-setting KHL season and a strong NHL debut. Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis expresses excitement about using Demidov's talent effectively, especially on the power play, which has struggled recently. While Demidov looks forward to competing against his idol, he remains focused on helping his team secure a victory.

The NHL playoffs are set to commence with a thrilling first round featuring matchups like Winnipeg versus St. Louis and Colorado against Dallas. The intensity is heightened by the influx of fresh talent, including standout rookies like Ivan Demidov from Montreal and Jimmy Snuggerud from St. Louis, who are keen to make their mark. Veterans like Ryan Suter of the Blues and Brent Burns of Carolina are also in pursuit of the elusive Stanley Cup, adding a layer of narrative depth to the playoffs.

Goaltending prowess will be on full display, particularly with Winnipeg's Connor Hellebuyck vying for a Vezina Trophy after an impressive season. However, his playoff history raises questions about his performance under pressure. Injury concerns are also significant, as teams like Dallas face challenges with Miro Heiskanen sidelined and other key players battling injuries.

Ivan Demidov made a remarkable NHL debut for the Montreal Canadiens, scoring a goal and assisting in their 4-3 shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. The Canadiens' hopes of clinching a playoff spot were dashed after falling behind 3-2 despite an early 2-0 lead. Chicago rallied with goals from Tyler Bertuzzi, Lukas Reichel, and Frank Nazar, the latter scoring the decisive shootout goal. Juraj Slafkovsky managed to equalize with a power-play goal late in the game.

Demidov, the fifth overall pick in the last draft, caught the crowd's attention with a slick deke for his goal, becoming the third teenager in Canadiens history to score in his debut. Meanwhile, Lane Hutson's record-breaking season as a rookie defenseman solidifies his growing reputation. With just one game left, Montreal holds a precarious grip on the playoff race, trailing only the Columbus Blue Jackets.