Under the bright lights of the Bell Centre, Ivan Demidov stood alone at center ice, the anticipation swirling around him like the cold air before a storm. His gaze was fixed, his breath visible in the arena’s chill, but something was different tonight—something that most fans wouldn’t notice until the game was well underway. There was no formal morning skate, no hints dropped in the hours leading up to puck drop, just a quiet tension and a sense that change was coming.

When the Montreal Canadiens took the ice against the Tampa Bay Lightning, it wasn’t the lines or defensive pairings that drew attention. Instead, all eyes turned to the power play—a unit that had become the team’s lifeline, and tonight, the stage for a dramatic shake-up. The news broke in whispers at first, then rippled through the crowd: Ivan Demidov, the 19-year-old phenom, was no longer on the Canadiens’ top power-play unit.

For Demidov, who had carved out 22 points in 28 games this season, including six goals, the demotion was more than a tactical adjustment. It was a stunning reversal, a sudden halt to the momentum he had been building since his debut. Fans who had watched him light up the ice with flashes of brilliance now found themselves questioning what had gone wrong—and what it meant for the team’s future.

The decision wasn’t made lightly. In Demidov’s place, Zachary Bolduc—a 22-year-old forward with 13 points and six goals in 28 games—stepped up to claim the coveted spot on PP1. For Bolduc, it was a well-earned promotion, a reward for consistent effort and a chance to prove himself in a high-pressure situation. But for those who had pinned their hopes on Demidov’s rapid ascent, the move felt like a gamble, one that could either ignite the power play or disrupt its fragile chemistry.

The second twist came just as the crowd settled in: Martin St-Louis, always a coach unafraid to break the mold, had placed both Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield on each power-play unit—PP1 and PP2. It was an unconventional strategy, a rare sight in the NHL, and one that signaled desperation or genius, depending on your perspective. The message was clear: Montreal was willing to take risks, to shake up the status quo, and to bet on its brightest stars to turn the tide.

As the game unfolded, the questions lingered. Had Demidov’s performance truly warranted a demotion? Was Bolduc ready for the spotlight? And could Suzuki and Caufield’s dual deployment unlock the power play’s full potential? The answers remained elusive, hidden beneath the surface of every shift, every pass, every missed opportunity.

Tonight, the Bell Centre was more than just a venue—it was a crucible, a place where reputations are forged and futures decided. Ivan Demidov’s solitary figure on the ice was a reminder that in Montreal, nothing is guaranteed, and every moment can change everything. The only certainty was that the Canadiens’ power play would never look quite the same again.

Dec 2, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens right wing Ivan Demidov (93) looks on during warm-up before the game against the Ottawa Senators at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

We didn’t have a formal morning skate today for the Montreal Canadiens, so we had to wait before knowing the changes.

We had to wait until tonight’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

While there were no notable changes to the lines and pairings, there were major changes to the power play.

Two major changes to the Montreal Canadiens’ power play and bad news for Ivan Demidov

First, please note that young Demidov has lost his spot on the Canadiens’ first power-play unit. So it’s back to square one for him.

It’s forward Zachary Bolduc who gets a nice promotion and who pushes Demidov off the first power-play unit.

“Zack Bolduc replaces Ivan Demidov on the Montreal Canadiens’ PP1.”

– HabsOnReddit

The second change also concerns the power play, as Martin St-Louis has decided to put Nick Suzuki AND Cole Caufield on both units (PP1 and PP2). It’s extremely rare to see that, but we love it.

A situation to monitor.

And you, do you think young Ivan Demidov deserved to lose his spot on the first power-play unit?

Demidov, 19 years old, has 22 points in 28 games this season, including 6 goals at the time of writing. Bolduc, 22 years old, has 13 points in 28 games this season, including 6 goals at the time of writing.

I believe Zack Bolduc truly deserves a nice promotion, but I simply think it shouldn’t be at Demidov’s expense.