Demidov, SKA primed for the playoffs ahead of match up with Dinamo Minsk

Ivan Demidov, the Montreal Canadiens' prized top prospect from the 2024 NHL Draft learned earlier in the week that SKA qualified for the Gagarin Cup playoffs. But Sunday, his focus was solely on the task at hand - Dinamo Minsk.

The game didn't start out great for SKA - who surrendered the first two penalties of the game - in what was a superbly undisciplined first period. Dinamo jumped to a two-goal lead, and Demidov, as you can guess saw very little ice time. It's a rather curious thing, and I understand Demidov is 19, but the veterans take ridiculous penalties, and there are no repurcussions.

Demidov, however, could have one bad turnover or be on the ice for a couple of goals, and he gets glued to the bench. Roman Rotenberg runs a tight ship, and if you want success you have to. But Demidov has certainly not been able to get the most out of his development because of his head coach.

Of course Demidov is developing well, and he is such a smart player that he makes the most of any ice time he is given. But I would like to think that he would have 10-12 more points, if not for his poor deployment. Against Dinamo, despite the poor start, Demidov has been given reasonable ice time.

It's almost like Demidov does wonders with a loosening of his leash, providing his team with the necessary spark more often than not. Demidov make a heads up pass through the slot to a wide open Marat Khairullin, who made no mistake firing it home for SKA's first goal of the game. With the assist, Demidov is up to 48 points - including 29 assists and 19 goals in 58 games and just under two periods of hockey.

SKA didn't start great, so they were relatively lucky to head to the dressing room down 2-1. But their second period was a significantly better showing for the playoff bound squad. Roternberg's talk between period one and two, while it likely made the paint peel itself off the walls, did wonders for his team.

I do have to say though, it will be good for the player (Demidov) and the organization that drafted him when he is in Montreal. SKA is a mess defensively, and their goaltending is rather frightening, for a team that will play playoff games. An obvious adjustment should be promoting Demidov to a permanent to-six role - but the defensive schemes and puck stops will be their kryptonite.

Dinamo Minsk forward Vadim Moroz bumped into SKA goaltender, and Philadelphia Flyers prospect Yegor Zavragin after trying to go wide on him to tuck the puck into the net. The officiating team reviewed the play to determine whether or not Moroz interfered with Zavragin, who was noticeably shaken. It was determined that Moroz interfered with Zavragin.

Much to the dismay of the Dinamo Minsk crowd, SKA was rewarded a power play. Demidov got some time on the ice towards the end of the power play. But after it expired is when he went to work, prodding around the zone for an opening, firing a handful of shots at Dinamo Minsk's goaltender.

With four minutes remaining in the game, SKA is still searching for a spark. They have pushed for the tying goal, but no luck so far.

Demidov just about scored the goal of the year, with a solo effort, pulling the puck around the defender before going to his backhand on Demchenko. Demchenko stopped the attempt, but it was a nice effort by Demidov.

SKA pulled their goaltender for a sixth attacker, and Demidov is on the ice. Dinamo Minsk has also iced the puck on back-to-back attempts at the vacant net. Demidov is electric here - every touch is a threat for a goal, and he almost scored again - and there is another icing.

SKA lost 2-1, but Demidov was a monster in the attacking zone, creating many looks.

Demidov has his eyes on NHL

Demidov has his eyes on the NHL in more ways than one. It's obvious that he wants to come to North America and play for the Canadiens. But when asked in a Russian interview to name his dream team lineup, his answer up front was impressive.

Being that he is Russian, it wouldn't be all that surprising if he named a line where he plays with Pavel Bure and Alex Ovechkin. Then on the backend, he could go with Sergei Gonchar and Sergei Zubov. I don't think any Habs fan would argue with that either.

But instead, Demidov said that he would play with Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky. I am all for that, it feels like stacking a line on NHL 25. What a line that would be, I expect that Demidov would have a ridiculous amount of assists per game.

His two defenseman were answered during the interview, but for some reason it was blurred out. One is surprising, but the other should be expected, according to the interview. The whole thing is in Russian, and even with translation, some things get lost.

One can assume, however, that if he picked Lemieux and Gretzky up front, then his two defence picks must be excellent players. I don't have the answer, so I will predict who I believe the two could be. Let's go with Lane Hutson for obvious reasons, and Al MacInnis - a booming slapshot that brought him to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

I would personally go with Chris Chelios and Ray Bourque, but nobody asked me.

Demidov also stated that the goalie he wants to score a goal against most in the NHL is defending Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck. The kid has steel nerves, I love it.