January 17, 2019, New Jersey Devils notebook for Metro Newspaper in NYC
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ANDY MARLIN/NHLI/GETTY IMAGES
Ilya Kovalchuk.
If it were a sitcom, the title of the Devils’ scrimmage Wednesday would be Welcome Back, Kovy.
Ilya Kovalchuk made his 2013 debut yesterday after returning from
Russia, where he had played for St. Petersburg SKA of the Kontinental
Hockey League during the lockout. His return was delayed due to his
playing in the KHL All-Star Game.
Kovalchuk spoke with general manager Lou Lamoriello following the conclusion of the lockout and was given the blessing to play in the game.
“I’m happy that I’m back,” Kovalchuk said following the scrimmage. He
recorded 18 goals and 42 points, and was plus-21 in 36 games with St.
Petersburg. “I just had to play in the All-Star Game. I asked Lou [to
make sure] everybody understands each other. I was playing for 36, 37
games. So I think I’ll be good for Saturday [in the season opener
against the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum].
Kovalchuk skated on a line with Travis Zajac and Dainius Zubrus. He also
played the left point on the first power-play unit, partnered with
Marek Zidlicky.
“It’s great. You don’t see too many guys playing together that,” Zajac
said of his ostensible linemate for the next nine years. The center
signed an eight-year extension earlier in the day. “He’s a great guy, a
great teammate — just an exceptional player. To have him on the team, I
still [am awed] by some of the things he can do on the ice. It’s
definitely exciting.”
Brodeur knows schedule
Martin Brodeur has seen a lot in his 20-year career with the Devils, including a 48-game season.
The NHL played a 48-game season in 1995 following a protracted lockout.
The Devils finished the regular season with a 22-18-8 record, fifth best
in the East. The Devils went on eliminate Boston (five games),
Pittsburgh (five games) and Philadelphia (six games) before sweeping
Detroit to win the first of the franchise’s three Stanley Cup championships.
What’s forgotten is that the Devils started the season with a 3-5-2 mark.
“We started really slow,” Brodeur said. The future Hall-of-Famer pointed
to an 8-1-1 mark between March 29 and April 16 as key to the team’s
confidence heading into the playoffs.
“We had a good stretch of six or seven games. That really kind of settled everything.”
Follow NHL beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman.
http://www.metro.us/newyork/sports/article/1159949--devils-notebook-kovalchuk-welcomed-back-to-team
posted by Denis P. Gorman at 1:55 AM
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