Реклама в Интернет * Все Кулички

Rambler's Top100

29 ноября 2007 года. 
Kovalev wary of power-play success // Montreal Gazette

Scored 8 goals. 'I'd be more happy if we produced 5-on-5'

PAT HICKEY

Alex Kovalev is on pace for his first 30-goal season since 2002-03, but he has mixed feelings about his early-season success.

"You always think that way every year, (that you can) get over 30 goals, but it's difficult these days when you're not producing much 5-on-5," said Kovalev, who has scored eight of his 12 goals on the power play. He's second in power-play goals behind Detroit's Tomas Holmstrom, who has nine.

"That's one reason why I'm not happy," Kovalev said. "I mean, I'm happy I've scored 12 goals, but I'm not happy because most of them came on the power play." The Canadiens have the most effective power play in the National Hockey League for the second consecutive season, but Kovalev said you can't rely on the power play alone.

"I'd be more happy if we produced more 5-on-5 and played a more complete game," he said. "It's not always going to happen. The next game is against New Jersey (tomorrow, 7 p.m., RDS, CJAD Radio-800). We haven't played against them this year, but in the past, they wouldn't take many penalties. Last year, we played against them and they only took one or two penalties each game."

Kovalev has a good memory. The Devils swept the four-game season series against the Canadiens and have an eight-game win streak against Montreal. The Canadiens scored one power-play goal on a meagre eight opportunities last season.

And the Devils continue to stay out of the penalty box. While they rank 26th in penalty-killing efficiency, they spend an average of 11.5 minutes a game in the penalty box. Only Los Angeles (10.6 minutes) does a better job of staying out of the box.

The Canadiens have been outscored 46-39 in even-strength situations this season. They have scored 73 goals overall and have surrendered 65.

Страничка Алексея Ковалёва на сайте "Звёзды с Востока"

Загрузка...


"ЗВЁЗДЫ С ВОСТОКА" @ c 1997 года