Canadiens' first powerplay line will set the Bell Center on fire for a long time

I'm not trying to pile on Patrik Laine. He has been a productive player for the Montreal Canadiens all season, but it's a "what have you done for me lately" league, and unfortunately, that hasn't been much for Laine. The powerplay has been electric in the past few games without Laine, and it all came to fruition with Juraj Slafkovsky's tying goal on Sunday night.

Stu Cowan put into perspective how intriguing the first powerplay line is with Laine out of the lineup. It includes Slafkovsky, Lane Hutson, Ivan Demidov, Cole Caufield, and Nick Suzuki. The age and future for five of these players is enough to get you excited, and fans should be happy they are getting this experience in the 2025 playoffs.

"Nick Suzuki is the oldest player on the unit at age 25. Cole Caufield is 24, Juraj Slafkovsky and Lane Hutson are both 21, and Ivan Demidov is 19," Cowan posted on social media. "Future definitely looking bright."

Laine is one of the most prolific powerplay players in the league. However, he was becoming stagnant standing on the top of the left faceoff circle. Martin St. Louis decided to move Caufield to Laine's spot, Suzuki to the bumper, Slafkovsky back down low, and Demidov into the right flank where Slafkovsky once occupied. It proved to be the correct decision, as it was Demidov coming down from the flank to find Slafkovsky in front of the net for the tying goal.

It's starting to become a group that other teams will be cautious to give opportunities. They are clicking at the right time, and a second powerplay goal by Caufield nearly blew the roof clear off of the Bell Centre. Montreal's penalty kill was also lights out in the second period, which proves the timeless belief that special teams and goaltending will win you games in the playoffs.

The beauty of the first powerplay is that it's five players who will be in Montreal for a long time. Laine's future with the Canadiens is murky at best, and Demidov will be the one who occupies PP1 in the future. In a playoffs where it feels like the young group is playing with house money as they get postseason experience, the emergence of the first powerplay unit is another massive step in the right direction.