The Chicago Blackhawks pulled off a surprising upset against the Montreal Canadiens, as the Habs let a crucial opportunity to clinch an NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs berth slip through their fingers. Following the statement win in a hostile, playoff-like atmosphere, captain Nick Foligno made a bold confession about Connor Bedard and the mindset fueling his young teammates.
The 2024-25 NHL season has been far from a success for the Blackhawks, though it has featured a few bright spots in an otherwise bleak landscape. The emergence of several young players has been a highlight in The Windy City, offering hope for the franchise’s future.
However, Bedard’s team appeared to be missing something: a statement triumph in a big showdown. It took until the 81st game of the NHL season, but the Hawks finally secured it.
The Blackhawks walked into a sold-out Bell Centre, where 21,000 ecstatic fans were ready to celebrate the Canadiens punching their ticket to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since the 2020-21 season. However, despite the electric atmosphere, a full-capacity crowd hasn’t witnessed playoff hockey in Montreal since the 2016-17 campaign.
Nick Foligno #17 of the Chicago Blackhawks looks on against the Seattle Kraken during the third period at the United Center on December 19, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.
Amid such a hostile setting, the Blackhawks rose to the occasion, edging out the Habs in a shootout that delivered its fair share of drama. The result left Montreal’s faithful in heartbreak, forced to wait at least one more day before potentially celebrating a long-awaited return to the postseason.
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“That’s probably the most momentous game that we’ve had — like, a game that mattered,” Foligno said about the Blackhawks’ performance, via Chicago Sun-Times. “It was nice to not see our guys get overwhelmed by the moment. It’s really encouraging to see our group find a way to come through in a time where maybe our habits and attitude didn’t allow us to in games previous.”
Demidov’s revenge game
Ivan Demidov, the former 5th overall pick in the 2024 NHL entry Draft, made his debut with the Canadiens, against none other than the Blackhawks. Chicago elected to steer away from the talented Russian, instead selecting defenseman Artyom Levshunov with their second overall pick.
In what was a highly emotional game for Demidov, the 19-year-old impressed offensively with a goal and an assist. It seemed like he was poised for a statement performance—until one defensive lapse put him under the spotlight. Demidov gave up on his backcheck, allowing Lukas Reichel an uncontested entry that led to Chicago’s go-ahead 3-2 goal.
A taste of playoff hockey
The atmosphere inside Bell Centre was unlike anything Chicago’s young core had ever experienced in their NHL careers. The barn was rocking as the Canadiens faced a key opportunity to secure their spot, against an inferior opponent on paper.
Connor Bedard #98 of the Chicago Blackhawks controls the puck during the second period against the Winnipeg Jets at the United Center on April 12, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
What the Blackhawks may lack in raw talent, they made up for with relentless effort. Rookie Frank Nazar continued his impressive campaign, tallying a goal, an assist, and the game-winning shootout marker—a sneaky finish that only he seemed to notice had found the back of the net. After the game, Nazar shared a candid take on the electric atmosphere he and the Hawks faced in the City of Saints.
‘‘If that’s what playoff hockey is going to sound like, I’m really excited for that in the future,” Nazar admitted postgame.
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The Blackhawks are trending upward in their rebuild, with young players stepping into the lineup and quickly finding their place alongside Bedard and company. Still, if Chicago is serious about contending in the near future, they’ll need to capitalize on every opportunity to gain experience—and their win in Montreal marks a significant step in the right direction.
