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NHL.com
Ilya Kovalchuk’s stint in Montreal was brief, but the Russian quickly won the hearts of CH supporters.
The veteran has collected 13 points in 22 games. Of his six goals, three have been winning goals. In this regard, he is also leading the CH this season, tied with Max Domi, Jeff Petry and Ben Chiarot. And I remind you, Kovalchuk managed to score three winning goals in just 22 games in the uniform of the Habs.
On February 23, Marc Bergevin nonetheless traded the Russian forward to the Capitals for a third-round pick in 2020. At that point, the CH had virtually no chance of making the playoffs.
Irony of fate
Six months later, the CH is still alive, while the Capitals were eliminated by the Islanders in just five games.
We remember that the Canadian accommodated Kovalchuk by sending him to Washington. The latter saw an opportunity to experience a long playoff run and, who knows, to lift the Stanley Cup.
He ultimately fell very far from this goal.
In addition to the pain of this rapid elimination, Ilya Kovalchuk personally experienced difficult series. The 37-year-old was limited to just one assist and five throws in eight games. The veteran was the Caps’ 16th most used player with an average playing time of 12:56.
Kovalchuk will be a free agent at the end of these heats. Last winter, several Canadiens fans hoped for his return to Montreal next season. In light of the Russian player’s most recent performances, it is now questionable whether he will manage to stay in the NHL.
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