Ann 2Game 60 Review: Kovalev's Return Sparks Canadiens To 5-3 Victory Over Senators
February 27th 2009 04:29
The King is back
L'Artiste. The Magician. The Enigma. AK27. Kovy. Or simply Alex. No matter what you wanna call Alex Kovalev, one thing's for sure, this man is the undisputed king of the Bell Centre.
After a GM-imposed rest away from the team, Kovelev wasn't sure how his teammates, and more importantly, the fans would react to his return to the squad. He didn't have to wait long for an answer. From the pre-game warm-up to the final siren, the Bell Centre rocked for its Russian star who couldn't ask for more. In return, Kovalev gave the fans a memorable performance which allowed to leave the arena happy about their team for once.
In just a bit under ten minutes of play in the first period, Kovy showed why the Canadiens need him if they have any post-season hopes. The game was barely six minutes old and the number 27 already had one goal and one assist. His first point of the night came at the second minute when he set up Tomas Plekanec's powerplay goal with a sweet pass after drawing three defensemen to him. Then, three minutes later, his patient forecheck on a visitors' defenseman caused a Senators giveaway at the blue line. He picked up the puck and went in alone towards Alex Auld's net to give Montreal a two-goal lead. Kovalev also signaled himself on the penalty-killing unit when his dive to push the puck of the Canadiens' zone showed a great sense of anticipation. He also prevented a goal with a good position near Jaroslav Halak's net. The Magician capped off the night with another assist on the Canadiens' third powerplay goal which put the score at 4-0.
Kovalev wasn't the only one having a good game for the Canadiens. Tomas Plekanec continued his awesome play from the two previous games, and finally looks like last year's player. Mathieu Schneider scored another goal on a powerplay that has climbed from 25th in the league to 17th, and Roman Hamrlik was quietly efficient with two assists. Jaroslav Halak had another strong outing in front of the net, stopping 44 out of the 47 shot-barrage the Senators unleashed on him.
The game wasn't all bliss though. Not only are the Canadiens still having trouble in their defensive zone – except during the PK, which is kinda weird – they are still getting outshot by their opponents. They came out flying in the first period with an effective forecheck, but then they sat on their lead once they were up 4-0. The Senators made it 4-2 in the span of two minutes but Mathieu Dandenault's goal in the final seconds of the second period completely demoralized the visitors who would then proceed to beat Halak only once in the third period despite taking 22 shots to make it 5-3.
All in all, it was a strong game for the Montreal Canadiens. They desperately needed that win and Kovalev led them to it. Koivu may have heart, but when Kovalev turns it on, he can be one unstoppable man for his age. People often forget that the guy is 36 years old, and shouldn't be counted on to have an 80-point season. What they need is a guy who will find a way when everything goes wrong. Amidst the pressure of the Centennial festivities, the scandals surrounding the young players' partying and off-ice acquaintances, Kovalev was that man for one night. Let's hope he'll continue on this road for the sake of the Canadiens and an entire city that lives and breathes hockey.
My 3 Stars:
3. Dany Heatley
2. Jaroslav Halak
1. Alex Kovalev
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