MONTREAL -- Ivan Demidov scored in the first period of his ballyhooed NHL debut, but the Chicago Blackhawks spoiled the party, defeating the playoff-hopeful Montreal Canadiens, 4-3.
Demidov, the 19-year-old Russian forward who joined the team last week, had a goal and an assist, and Juraj Slafkovsky and Alex Newhook also scored for the Canadiens. But they couldn't prevent the home team from losing its third straight with a chance to clinch a playoff spot.
The Canadiens have 89 points -- four more than the Columbus Blue Jackets with one game remaining Wednesday at home against the Carolina Hurricanes.