Ivan Demidov scored his first career Stanley Cup Playoff goal Thursday night, and his celebration showed exactly how much it meant to him. It has been a slow start to the playoffs for Demidov, with just four assists through the first 11 games prior to Game 5 against the Buffalo Sabres. He has not been able to find the back of the net, which goes back to last season. Demidov had two assists in the Montreal Canadiens five playoff games last season, but again went goalless. He has been chasing that goal, and on Thursday night, he finally got it.
Early in the third period, with the Canadiens on the power play, up 5-3, Demidov receives a pass from Juraj Slafkovsky at the top of the circle and toedrags his way into a shot that beats the glove of Sabres goalie Alex Lyon. The celebration said it all. He needed that goal, and he had his chances, but could not get it across the goal line. He had a chance earlier in the game to get his first, but the bounces just were not going his way.
Ivan Demidov with the PERFECT celly after his first career #StanleyCup Playoff goal!!! 😜
— NHL (@NHL) May 15, 2026
🇺🇸: @NHL_On_TNT
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet & @TVASports pic.twitter.com/ors8Q3saMK
Demidov picks up the entry pass from Alex Newhook along the boards and curls up at the bottom of the circle, shooting the puck that squeezed through the armpit of Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who started the game for the Sabres. The puck bobbled its way to the goal line, but before it could be swept away by Sabres defender Mattias Samuelsson, Jake Evans finished it off, giving the Canadiens the 4-3 lead. Demidov still got an assist on the play, but it encapsulates the bad luck he has had on the goal front.
Demidov spoke to Sportnet’s Kyle Bukauskas after the game, and they spoke about his celebration after he scored his first career playoff goal. “It’s an amazing feeling to score a goal, and I can’t describe that feeling. I hope I can have it a couple more times,” said Demidov when asked about the feeling of relief to finally have scored.
The scoring drought seemed to be bothering him, so much so that before the game, Demidov switched from the black stick tape he had been using all series to a white one. The change worked, and we can all probably guess what colour stick tape he will be using next game. Demidov hopes there are more goals to come, and the Canadiens do too, with a chance to close out the series next game in Montreal.
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