The scene inside T-Mobile Arena was electric—Montreal Canadiens fans, scattered among the Vegas faithful, stood and cheered as their team executed crisp passes, controlled the pace, and delivered a confident, well-earned victory. The energy was infectious, and for most of the night, the story was one of unity and momentum. Yet, beneath the surface of celebration, a single coaching decision by Martin St-Louis sent shockwaves through the fanbase and ignited a firestorm of debate that quickly eclipsed the win itself.

It began as a subtle detail, almost easy to miss amid the excitement: Alexandre Texier, suiting up for his very first game in a Canadiens jersey, logged more ice time than Ivan Demidov—a player whose dazzling skill and relentless creativity have made him a focal point of hope for Montreal’s future. As the final horn sounded and the players congratulated one another, the conversation shifted. Social media lit up, fans in the stands murmured, and the spotlight swung away from the scoreboard to the bench, where St-Louis’s minute management became the night’s most controversial storyline.

One fan’s post captured the mood perfectly: “Texier first game as a Hab and he played more minutes than Demidov, who played great today. I don’t care that we’re winning, MSL should get a ton of hate for this. Pathetic usage once again.” The frustration wasn’t just about numbers—it was about perception, potential, and the feeling that a generational talent was being held back at a crucial moment.

Ivan Demidov’s performance was, by all accounts, impressive. Every time he touched the puck, he brought a sense of danger and creativity that few others on the roster can match. His vision and pace kept the Golden Knights on edge, and his ability to generate scoring chances made him one of the most impactful players on the ice. Yet, when the dust settled, Demidov had seen less ice time than not only Texier but also Joe Veleno—a pattern that has repeated itself more than once this season, much to the dismay of fans and analysts alike.

For Martin St-Louis, the decision may have been rooted in tactical considerations, a desire to ease Texier into the lineup, or simply a reflection of the game’s flow. But for the passionate Montreal fanbase, it raised uncomfortable questions about the development and usage of young talent. Should ice time be earned strictly by performance, or do coaches need to balance short-term results with long-term growth? Is there a risk of stifling a player’s confidence by limiting his opportunities, even on nights when he’s clearly making a difference?

As the Canadiens look ahead to their next matchup, the controversy shows no sign of fading. The debate over Demidov’s minutes is more than just a post-game gripe—it’s a reflection of the high expectations fans have for their young stars and the delicate balance coaches must strike between trust, development, and results. For now, all eyes will be on St-Louis and his lineup decisions, with the hope that lessons from this night will lead to a more transparent and rewarding approach for Montreal’s brightest talents.

Canadiens coach Martin St-Louis, Ivan Demidov and Alex Texier

Photo credit: All Montreal Hockey / NHL

On what was otherwise a positive night for the Montreal Canadiens, with a solid win, a decision by Martin St-Louis quickly took over the entire discussion among fans.

The game had started very well for the Canadiens. Each sequence showed a confident group managing pressure effectively. Monty made several important saves at key moments. The offense found its rhythm, and the team seemed to control the tempo when it mattered.

The Canadiens fans present in Vegas clearly enjoyed the energy. But as the game went on, one very simple detail changed the atmosphere.

A minute-management decision that is drawing reactions from Canadiens fans

Alexandre Texier, in his very first game with the Canadiens, received more ice time than Ivan Demidov.

No need to tell you that this sparked plenty of talk. A message posted by a fan particularly caught attention. In his post, he stated:

“Texier first game as a Hab and he played more minutes than Demidov, who played great today.

I don’t care that we’re winning, MSL should get a ton of hate for this. Pathetic usage once again”

– Michael

The comment perfectly reflects the discomfort many fans feel. Demidov, as we know, brings pace, creativity, and constant danger as soon as he touches the puck.

His night was once again very solid. And yet, he was used less. Even Joe Veleno had more minutes, and it’s not the first time this season.

From my perspective, I think this situation needs to be addressed quickly to prevent this kind of debate from taking over after every game. The usage of young talent should always reflect what they show on the ice. A coach sometimes needs to adjust to send a clear message.

Personally, I firmly believe Demidov earned more. I say it plainly because his impact is too obvious to be limited like this.

The debate will continue, and it will be interesting to see whether this controversy influences decisions in the next game.