Ivan Demidov really shocked Martin St-Louis and the Canadiens when Jordan Greenway caught him off guard.
At full speed, the hit looked tough but clean, but it was bad news for Montreal as soon as Demidov hit the ice.
Greenway came into his path and knocked him down hard.
Demidov had to leave the game right after that hit, which made everyone feel it was more serious than a usual playoff bump along the boards.
When a young forward from the top group heads straight off, the whole team takes notice.
That’s why it was important for him to come back.
Demidov returned to the bench, and that instantly shifted the feeling around Montreal.
However, it doesn’t take away the worries.
A player can come back and still not be at their best, especially when they’ve taken a hard hit to the upper body.
Montreal’s biggest challenge now is what will happen next against the Sabres.
The video shows Demidov reaching for the puck, Greenway approaching quickly, and then the rookie getting knocked down before he could prepare himself.
That moment is what everyone is talking about now, not just the hit itself. St-Louis can deal with a tough game.
What he can’t handle is losing one of his most skilled young forwards in the middle of an important playoff run.
Demidov makes Montreal better because he brings speed and skill and gives them another choice when their offense is struggling.
If he’s gone, even for a little while, the other top players will feel more pressure.
Meanwhile, Greenway did exactly what Buffalo wanted him to do.
He played straight, finished his check, and made sure Montreal noticed him all over the ice.
The Canadiens will feel a bit better seeing Demidov back on the bench.
Still, the next news will be more important than the first reaction.
If Demidov is okay, Montreal gets away with just a fright.
If he isn’t, St-Louis faces a big issue with their team that becomes serious fast.
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