Tuesday night at the Bell Centre, the Montreal Canadiens faced off against the Los Angeles Kings in a game that quickly turned into a whirlwind of emotions, drama, and unexpected decisions. While the scoreboard told one story, the real intrigue unfolded on the Canadiens’ bench—where the fate of two young stars, Juraj Slafkovsky and Ivan Demidov, became the center of a heated debate that would ripple through the locker room, the fanbase, and the hockey media.

As the final buzzer sounded, the buzz wasn’t just about the result. Instead, whispers and speculation spread through the crowd and across social media, focusing on a single, bold move by head coach Martin St. Louis. In a moment that seemed to encapsulate the unpredictability of the sport, St. Louis made a decision that would ignite both admiration and controversy: he replaced Slafkovsky on the Canadiens’ top line with Ivan Demidov, the team’s enigmatic rookie forward.

The fallout was immediate. Fans questioned the reasoning, analysts dissected every shift, and even seasoned journalists found themselves at odds over whether this was a stroke of genius or a costly mistake. At the center of the storm stood Anthony Martineau, a respected hockey journalist known for his candid takes and sharp insight. Appearing on The Sick Podcast, Martineau pulled no punches, offering a perspective that would challenge the conventional wisdom and stir the pot even further.

Yet, amid the noise and confusion, one question lingered: What really happened on the ice that night, and why did St. Louis choose that particular moment to shake up his lineup? Was it a calculated risk, a desperate gamble, or simply a coach trusting his instincts in the heat of battle? And perhaps most importantly, did Ivan Demidov deserve more than just a fleeting chance to prove himself alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield?

These are the questions that have haunted Canadiens fans and fueled endless debate in the days since. For some, the answer seems obvious—Slafkovsky struggled, Demidov deserved a longer look, and St. Louis missed an opportunity to spark something special. For others, the situation is more complex, a tangled web of player development, team chemistry, and the relentless pressure to win in a city that lives and breathes hockey.

What makes this story truly compelling isn’t just the on-ice drama, but the personalities involved. Demidov, the talented newcomer with untapped potential; Slafkovsky, the embattled young star seeking redemption; St. Louis, the coach tasked with guiding both through the highs and lows of NHL life; and Martineau, the journalist unafraid to challenge the status quo. Together, they form a narrative that is as unpredictable as the game itself—a narrative that promises twists, turns, and revelations yet to come.

In the end, the decision to shuffle the lines may prove to be a turning point for the Canadiens’ season, or it may fade into the background as just another footnote in a long and winding campaign. But for now, the questions remain unanswered, the stakes are higher than ever, and the hockey world is watching closely, eager to see what happens next.

Canadiens forward Ivan Demidov and hockey journalist Anthony Martineau

Photo credit: All Habs / NHL

It was a roller-coaster game between the Canadiens and the Kings on Tuesday, and Juraj Slafkovsky was on everyone’s lips afterward.

He had such a tough night that Martin St-Louis decided to replace him with Ivan Demidov on the first line.

And honestly, many are still wondering why the trial with Demidov, Nick Suzuki, and Cole Caufield didn’t last a little longer.

Especially when you think about Juraj Slafkovsky’s repeated mistakes…

Anthony Martineau talked about it on The Sick Podcast, and it didn’t take long for fans to react.

After listening, I have to say his comments were clear and direct – but very fair.

According to him, Slaf committed too many turnovers, which completely slowed down the game’s pace. Hard to disagree.

Anthony Martineau believes Demidov deserved a real chance

Martineau explained that in moments like that, any coach would have reacted the same way.

“I don’t know how many times Juraj put the puck right on a Kings player’s stick, but the reaction would’ve been the same with anyone behind the bench. ‘Okay Juraj, sit down, think about it, this game’s not yours.’”

– Anthony Martineau

But he didn’t stop there.

He also added that he would have liked for St. Louis to keep Demidov a little longer with Suzuki and Caufield – just to see if something could click!

As he told Marinaro:

“As much as I really like Juraj, I was thinking that if you’re going to try something, give Demidov a chance for two minutes at the end of the period. Worst case, you go back to Slafkovsky after.”

– Anthony Martineau

I think he’s got a point.

In my opinion, sometimes when nothing’s working, you have to take a risk.

And with a player like Demidov, there’s really nothing to lose.

Watching the game, I found myself asking the same question – why not give him a real shot on the top line?

In my view, Martineau summed it up perfectly: when a team is searching for answers, sometimes you just need the courage to try something different.