Canadiens: The Training Wheels Are Off Demidov

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One game into his NHL career with the Montreal Canadiens, Ivan Demidov will find himself playing in the top six tonight without a safety blanket. For his debut, the young Russian was skating with Alex Newhook and Joel Armia, but on Wednesday night, he’ll be with Newhook and Finnish sniper Patrik Laine.

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Martin St-Louis had explained Armia’s presence on the rookie’s line by the need to have a defensively responsible player on his line. Still, after just one game, the coach doesn’t think it’s necessary anymore. Asked what he saw that made him believe this was the right move, he explained:

I felt like when Demi was on the ice, he didn’t need to defend a lot. He controlled enough of the game that I felt comfortable with what I saw from goal line to goal line. Was it perfect? No, but I was comfortable enough, so we’ll start like that.

- Martin St-Louis on putting Demidov on a purely offensive zone
This is good news ahead of the most crucial game of the Canadiens’ season. On Monday night, it felt like Demidov was generating attacks and scoring chances every time he was on the ice.

Considering the Habs’ forecheck left a lot to be desired on Monday since they got rid of the puck too soon to be able to apply an effective forecheck, according to St-Louis, Emil Heineman’s return to the lineup is excellent news. The rookie plays a hard-hitting game similar to Josh Anderson’s on the forecheck.

Seeing him back on a line with Armia and Jake Evans is reassuring ahead of a game in which Sebastian Aho, Jacob Slavin, Jaccob Slavin, Jordan Martinook, Jackson Blake, Jalen Chatfield, and Jordan Staal will visibly be out for (since they were not at the morning skate which wasn’t an optional) is encouraging.

Yesterday the Carolina Hurricanes recalled four players from their AHL affiliate: Skyler Brind’Amour, Bradly Nadeau, Domenick Fensore and Riley Stillman so the visitors could be icing a very young side.

It will be interesting to see how the Canadiens' react to the importance of tonight's game and if Demidov can replicate his play from Monday night against the Canes.

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