Two consecutive defeats—that's the critical threshold where an NHL franchise must rally to halt the slide, because squads plagued by three-game slumps rarely claw their way into the postseason. Yet, the Montreal Canadiens demonstrated resilience against the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday, emerging victorious 3-2 in a thrilling shootout. This turnaround wasn't just a fluke; it showcased a team rediscovering its edge. But here's where it gets controversial: is this the spark of a genuine resurgence, or merely a temporary high against a middling opponent? Let's unpack the night's events and explore why Ivan Demidov's rising star might be the key to unlocking Montreal's potential. And this is the part most people miss—the subtle shifts in strategy that could redefine their season.
The Canadiens arrived at the rink far superior to their performance against the Ottawa Senators the previous evening. They executed their checks with precision, employed physicality effectively, and defended their assignments more reliably. The line combinations shuffled by head coach Martin St. Louis exhibited greater synergy, proving that adaptability can transform a team's fortunes overnight.
Notably, Juraj Slafkovsky returned to the top line, where his presence was sorely needed after that unit struggled without him. Zach Bolduc, who failed to capitalize on his chance, was demoted to the fourth line. Meanwhile, Alex Texier secured a role on the second line alongside Ivan Demidov and Oliver Kapanen, a move that invigorated the trio's play.
Demidov shone brightly in the opening frame, displaying improved defensive instincts. For hockey newcomers, this means he's learning to position himself correctly on the ice relative to the puck, enhancing his ability to contribute in both ends of the rink. Despite boasting one of the league's top points-per-60 minutes rates—a statistic measuring offensive production in 60 minutes of ice time, often highlighting efficiency among rookies—he hasn't fully endeared himself to Coach St. Louis for extended shifts. The foundation for that trust lies in solid defense.
Yet, Demidov appears poised to deliver precisely that. Talented athletes like him tend to absorb and master new skills over time; it's ingrained in their DNA. He won't remain a defensive burden, and his determination to evolve into a well-rounded player is evident and accelerating.
The Canadiens dominated high-danger scoring opportunities in the first period but failed to capitalize, a frustrating pattern that can deflate momentum. Take Cole Caufield, for instance—he had the goaltender thoroughly beaten, with the top shelf wide open, only for the puck to deflect off the pads. Jake Evans similarly missed an open net on a rebound from Josh Anderson, a chance that in nine out of ten scenarios would have put Montreal ahead 2-0. These near-misses underscore how fine the line is between victory and defeat in high-stakes games.
The second period brought a pivotal shift when the first power-play unit finally aligned as intended. Demidov rejoined the top group and played a pivotal role in an offensive-zone victory that built possession, culminating in a seamless goal. Lane Hutson collected Demidov's wraparound attempt on the left flank, threading a pass to Nick Suzuki, who set up Cole Caufield for a crisp one-timer to Juraj Slafkovsky. It was pure artistry on ice. Power plays shouldn't overcomplicate things; they're about deploying your finest talents together for maximum impact.
Demidov is teetering on the edge of a major breakthrough. Confidence radiates from his every move, evident in his string of strong performances. As a rookie, he's rapidly incorporating advanced concepts like winning puck battles through smart angling and outmaneuvering defenders—a skill set that shone on the tying goal at 2-2.
In that play, Demidov charged into the corner, securing the puck before pivoting to shield the defender and spot Oliver Kapanen perfectly positioned in front of the net for an ideal pass. On his subsequent shift, he replicated the feat with a pinpoint pass through a cluster of bodies to Kapanen, though it didn't result in a goal. Texier proved a valuable addition to the line, thriving alongside skilled linemates. Often relegated to fourth-line duties where his finesse goes underutilized, Texier deserves a prolonged opportunity on the second unit to showcase his playmaking prowess.
A special mention goes to goalie Jakub Dobes, who posted a stellar .935 save percentage—an indicator of his reliability in stopping shots, calculated as saves divided by total shots faced. Solid goaltending makes every victory feel tangible, and Dobes' heroics in stopping all three shootout attempts suggest he might deserve the starting role moving forward.
On a lighter note, let's address the 'Wilde Goats'—those minor blemishes. Mike Matheson's stick issues, perhaps related to equipment malfunctions, served as a reminder that even elite defensemen face quirky disruptions.
Now, shifting gears to the 'Wilde Cards,' the intrigue of prospect development captivates fans and scouts alike. While nothing is certain, patterns emerge. If a player's trajectory bucks positive trends before the draft, it often signals overvaluation. Selecting on draft day is fraught with uncertainty, but opting for someone whose growth has plateaued raises major alarms.
Consider Shane Wright, the consensus top pick for over a year leading into his draft. His late-season numbers declined rather than improved, causing him to slip from the top spot, and he was drafted fourth overall by Seattle. Since then, he hasn't challenged that decision, remaining stagnant.
Angelo Esposito also held the number-one mantle early in his draft year before falling out of favor due to stagnant development. The scouts' assessments proved accurate.
James Hagens dazzled at the World Junior Championships, boosting his draft stock, only to be selected first overall without further progress. He dropped to seventh before the year ended, and at Boston College this season, he mirrors last year's output without advancement.
It's premature to label Gavin McKenna in this category, but the former top prospect at Penn State shows solid, not spectacular, stats. Rumors swirl that he might not hold the number-one spot in June, a notion that would have seemed absurd just months ago.
Contrarily, the ideal draft scenario features a player surging in their final weeks, reaching new peaks with untapped potential still unfolding. When choosing between a steady performer and an ascending talent, the future bet often favors growth.
Beckett Sennecke wasn't even on the radar in February of his draft year yet soared to third overall by draft day. Now, he's contending for the rookie scoring lead in Anaheim, continuing his upward trajectory.
Jake Sanderson, once a mid-teens prospect, dominated at North Dakota in his last semester, making him a bargain at fifth overall to Ottawa.
Montreal's head scout, Nick Bobrov, exemplifies awareness of these trends. They bypassed Wright for the rising Juraj Slafkovsky, traded up for Michael Hage amid his improvement, and secured Alexander Zharovsky from Russia, who might shatter Ivan Demidov's KHL scoring mark this year. They also drafted Lane Hutson, undeterred by his size after his World Juniors dominance, and selected David Reinbacher over Matvei Michkov, detecting red flags in Michkov's stalled progress.
Reinbacher, sidelined by injuries, has now regained health and shown growth, while Michkov's struggles validate Bobrov's caution. This philosophy emphasizes drafting players on an upward arc, capable of further evolution. Look at Slafkovsky, Zharovsky, Demidov, Hage, Hutson, and Reinbacher—all expanding their abilities, unlike the stagnant prospects Montreal avoided.
Drafting inherently risks failure, but masters like Bobrov prioritize youth with expanding skill sets. His selections underpin Montreal's rebuild as one of the NHL's most triumphant this century.
What do you think? Is Demidov's breakout imminent, or are we overhyped on rookies with high stats but defensive questions? Does Bobrov's draft strategy truly outshine traditional approaches, or is it more luck than judgment? Disagree? Agree? Drop your opinions in the comments—we'd love to hear from you!
—Brian Wilde, a Montreal-based sports writer, delivers Call of the Wilde on globalnews.ca after every Canadiens matchup.
