Canadiens fall 4-3 in shootout to Blackhawks, miss chance to clinch in Demidov’s debut

Ivan Demidov electrified the crowd with a goal and an assist in his highly anticipated NHL debut, but the Montreal Canadiens missed a third opportunity to clinch a playoff spot with a 4-3 shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday night.

Frank Nazar scored the shootout winner for Chicago (24-46-11). The officials initially ruled no goal, but overturned the call after Montreal’s next shooter made his attempt.

Tyler Bertuzzi, Lukas Reichel and Nazar scored three straight goals as Chicago rallied from a 2-0 deficit to take a 3-2 lead. Arvid Soderblom made 18 saves.

Juraj Slafkovsky tied the game on the power play with 2:57 left in regulation. Alex Newhook also scored for Montreal (39-31-11), which has lost three straight chances to clinch a playoff spot. Sam Montembeault stopped 22 shots.

Lane Hutson recorded his 65th point of the season, passing Chris Chelios for the most by a rookie defenceman in franchise history.

Demidov — a 19-year-old Russian and the fifth overall pick in last year’s NHL draft — assisted on Newhook’s opening goal during his third shift. He scored with a slick deke on his first shot at 13:32 of the first period as the Bell Centre erupted.

The Canadiens needed a win to secure the Eastern Conference’s second wild-card spot and set up a first-round series with the Washington Capitals. They had previously failed to clinch in back-to-back losses to the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs.

Montreal has 89 points — four more than the Columbus Blue Jackets — with one game remaining, Wednesday at home against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Columbus, the only other team still in the wild-card hunt, has two games left: Tuesday in Philadelphia and Thursday at home against the New York Islanders.

Takeaways

Blackhawks: Trailing 2-0, Chicago scored twice on the power play to tie the game. Bertuzzi struck first with 1:20 left in the first period before Nazar beat Montembeault with a one-timer at 16:41 of the second.

Canadiens: Montreal was hemmed in its own zone for much of a lopsided second period, with Montembeault making several key saves to keep the score close.

Key moment

The Bell Centre erupted when Demidov set up Newhook’s goal. The rookie sat on the bench, mouthed an expletive and smiled as the crowd roared while public address announcer Michel Lacroix called out his first NHL point.

Key stat

Demidov, who signed an entry-level contract last week after terminating his KHL deal with SKA Saint Petersburg, became the third teenager in Canadiens history to score in his NHL debut — joining Mark Hunter (1981) and Bernie Geoffrion (1950).

Fan reaction

CityNews spoke with several fans after the game about Demidov’s debut and the playoff race.

“Great start — Demidov, demigod,” said one fan. “We’re that much closer to the playoffs.”

“Amazing addition to the team, amazing,” said another.

A young fan from Hanover, Ont., said the game was exciting but stressful — especially during the three-on-three overtime — and added that she and her group were on the edge of their seats. Despite the loss, she said they’re still hopeful the Canadiens can clinch a playoff spot.

“We’re hopeful they’ll make the playoffs,” she said.

One fan expressed feeling disappointed and let down, believing the Canadiens had a real chance to win but ultimately fell short.

“I’m very sad. They could have won it.”

His father added: “I really hope so. We’ve been cheering for them the whole time,” he said, expressing hope that the Canadiens still have a chance to make the playoffs.

The Canadiens’ final shot at clinching a postseason spot comes Wednesday night against Carolina.

“We’ve got one more game. Hopefully we win or at least get a point and make it,” said one fan.

“Columbus is going to lose,” another added. “We’re going to win the next one at home.”

“We need one point. We could do it,” said another fan.