The Montreal Canadiens are no strangers to drama, heartbreak, and controversy—especially when facing off against the New Jersey Devils. Last night’s showdown was no exception, delivering a rollercoaster of emotions that left fans breathless and searching for answers. The game itself was a testament to the unpredictable nature of hockey: leads vanished in the blink of an eye, heroes emerged and faltered, and the smallest mistakes were magnified under the bright lights of the Bell Centre.

But beneath the obvious tension and the final score, deeper stories unfolded—stories that might change the way fans see their team, their coach, and the future of the franchise. It wasn’t just about the Canadiens letting a late third-period lead slip away before falling in overtime. It wasn’t just about the Devils once again playing the role of heartbreaker, echoing painful memories from last season. There was something more at play, something simmering beneath the surface that only the most attentive fans would notice.

One of those stories centers around young goaltender Jakub Dobes, whose season had been flawless—until last night. His first loss came at a moment so cruel, so emotionally charged, that it left both Dobes and the fanbase shaken. Reporters saw tears in his eyes, and his words were heavy with self-doubt and regret. Yet, as the media focused on his heartbreak, another narrative quietly demanded attention.

It was the curious case of Ivan Demidov, the Canadiens’ electrifying 18-year-old forward, whose ice time has become a point of contention among fans and analysts alike. Demidov’s talent is undeniable—his ability to create opportunities, his defensive responsibility, and his knack for winning battles have already set him apart. But if you looked closely at the numbers from last night, you’d see something that doesn’t quite add up. Despite his potential and his impact on the ice, Demidov found himself among the least-used forwards. The question is: why?

Is it simply a matter of coaching strategy? Or is there something more complicated at work—something that could have ripple effects for Demidov’s development and the Canadiens’ success? Fans have begun to speculate, and the tension is palpable. Some argue that head coach Martin St-Louis is holding Demidov back, refusing to give him the offensive role he deserves at five-on-five. Others wonder if there are deeper issues with how young talent is managed in Montreal.

Meanwhile, the locker room tells a different story. Teammates rally around Dobes, refusing to let him shoulder the blame for a team loss. Quotes from players like Noah Dobson offer comfort and perspective, but they also raise questions about leadership, accountability, and the culture within the team.

Last night’s game was more than just another mark in the win-loss column. It was a crossroads—a moment where decisions made behind the scenes could shape the future of several promising careers. As fans dissect every shift, every quote, and every coaching decision, one thing is clear: the real story of the Canadiens is still being written, and it’s full of twists, questions, and unanswered mysteries.

So what really happened last night? Why did Demidov sit while others played? What does Dobes’ reaction reveal about the pressure on young stars? And what will Martin St-Louis do next? The answers might surprise you—and they might just change everything you thought you knew about this team.

Canadiens Forward Ivan Demidov

Photo credit: RG

The Montreal Canadiens and the New Jersey Devils once again delivered a tight, emotion-filled game last night.

A matchup where Montreal let a late third-period lead slip away before falling in overtime.

Young goaltender Jakub Dobes had been perfect so far this season.

But… his first loss came at a cruel moment.

And his heartbreaking reaction showed it.

After the 4-3 defeat, Dobes had tears in his eyes as he spoke to reporters.

He blamed himself heavily.

“We played good enough to win. Just not good enough from my side. I don’t know, just really hard.” – Jakub Dobes

The whole scene really reminds fans of something.

Just like last year, it was once again against the Devils that Dobes suffered his first loss – again in overtime, again in a game where he had been solid.

Crazy, right?

The goalie may be hard on himself, but his teammates didn’t agree.

Noah Dobson summed it up:

“He’s so important for us. We didn’t lose because of him.” – Dobson

Ivan Demidov deserves a more offensive role at five-on-five

Another thing got people talking last night… and I really didn’t like seeing it.

Ivan Demidov’s ice time.

According to the stats, here were the five least-used forwards last night:

Zack Bolduc: 9:11
Ivan Demidov: 10:27
Kirby Dach: 11:37
Oliver Kapanen: 12:11
Joe Veleno: 12:44

When you look at what Demidov already brings at 18 years old, it’s surprising.

I find that he doesn’t force plays and doesn’t cheat defensively.

He wins his battles more often than people think.

In my opinion, the problem is that he’s still too often on the ice five-on-five with teammates who don’t compliment his style. He creates, but he doesn’t always have someone to finish.

A player like that needs to be surrounded to succeed – not held back.

Martin St-Louis should be playing him more, in my opinion… and a lot more, actually!