Photo credit: All Montreal Hockey / NHL
The day after the Canadiens’ loss to the Blues, a short video lit up social media.
Sunday night at the Bell Centre, the St. Louis Blues pulled out a 4-3 win thanks to big performances from Brayden Schenn and Dylan Holloway, who each collected three points. Pavel Buchnevich also scored and Jordan Binnington made 23 saves. On the Canadiens’ side, Lane Hutson, Cole Caufield, and Noah Dobson hit the target, while Jakub Dobes stopped 14 shots.
After the game, the Blues’ X account posted a video showing Ivan Demidov being denied twice by the goaltender in the slot. On both sequences, the young Canadiens forward found space, but Binnington shut the door with spectacular saves.
The message is clear: in St. Louis, they enjoy big saves against the Canadiens’ rookie star just as much as scoring goals.
Ivan Demidov keeps his cool
For Demidov, this is not the first time he has found himself at the center of an online debate. We still remember the storm triggered after Nick Cousins’ dangerous hit, which also blew up the comment sections across social media.
This time, it’s Blues fans celebrating, while many Canadiens fans point out that the Russian never backs down from traffic in front of the net.
At only 19 years old, Demidov already has 6 goals and 14 assists for 20 points this season with the Canadiens. It’s more than solid production for a rookie discovering the National Hockey League. The winger, drafted 5th overall in 2024, is also known for his work at both ends of the ice, which surprises many observers.
Viral video or not, Demidov will quickly have the chance to erase those two spectacular saves by the Blues’ goaltender.
If recent history has taught us anything, it’s that every time he’s called out, Ivan Demidov finds a way to answer on the ice.
Previously on All Montreal Hockey