Kovalchuk out tonight
Daily News Flyers blog
Kovalchuk out tonight
After Game 1 on Sunday, when asked if he was healthy, Devils forward Ilya Kovalchuk responded with a “yes,” and abruptly ended his news conference.
Turns out, Kovalchuk is not healthy.
Kovalchuk did not make the trip to Philadelphia with the Devils and will not play in Game 2 on Tuesday night at the Wells Fargo Center, as confirmed by New Jersey president Lou Lamoriello.
According to Lamoriello, Kovalchuk is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. There is no word as to Kovalchuk’s status for the rest of the series.
“Progressively, it’s to a point where it’s not positive for him or the team, if he’s not 100 percent” Lamoriello said. “These things happen at times and right now I have total confidence in that locker room and the players that are in that room.”
There are many theories as to what it could be, ranging anywhere from a lower-back problem to a groin issue that affects his skating. Lamoriello would only say that it has been bothering him since the middle of the Devils’ first round series against Florida.
Kovalchuk, of course, was held without a shot in Game 1 for the first time since Nov. 23, 2011.
Patrik Elias admitted that Kovalchuk looked different to him over the past few games.
Not having Kovalchuk is a good omen for the Flyers, since the Devils have yet to beat Philadelphia this season when Kovalchuk is held off the scoresheet. In the three games the Devils have beaten the Flyers, Kovalchuk has scored 8 points. He has one in their four losses.
Tim Sestito, the brother of Flyers injured forward Tom Sestito, is not replacing Kovalchuk in the lineup, as expected. With Jacob Josefson out with an injury still, defenseman Peter Harrold will move up to play right wing and rookie Adam Larsson will make his playoff debut on Tuesday night.
Harrold also took Kovalchuk's spot on the power play. Larsson was drafted four spots higher than Sean Couturier (No. 4 overall) in last summer's draft.
The Flyers have never lost a series (18-0) when leading two-games-to-none.
Expected lineup:
Parise – Elias – Clarkson
Ponikarovsky – Zajac – Zubrus
Sykora – Henrique – Bernier
Gionta – Carter – Harrold*
Larsson* – Volchenkov
Fayne – Greene
Salvador - Zidlicky
For the latest updates, follow Frank Seravalli on Twitter: @DNFlyers
Darn. This is not a good thing. Kovy was a liability with his injury, now the Flyers will have to deal with someone that can actually move.— n62- Yeah, but it is a defensemen moving up to forward. And based on the lineup above, the rookie will play on the #1 defensive pair. That should favor the Flyers.— P Even
Comment removed.- Still a dangerous lineup for the Devils, we need to put our foot on the gas and dominate game 2!— Fabulous
- Even hobbled Kovalchuk is someone you have to key on because he is capable of busting a game wide open at any time. Now you have one less major threat. I agree it alters the game plan but not by much. You can key on the Devils top line and worry a little less about the others. As long as Bryz is competent tonight ( I know, I know ) We are in good shape. Then again, I thought the same thing in game 5 vs the Pens when they had all the suspensions and injuries. The key, as always, is Bryz.— Neebo
- You are idiot if you think this is a bad thing for the Flyers.— FABER
- This changes NOTHING! As a matter of fact, the Flyers should treat it as though whoever replaces Kovalchuk is twice the player he was in Game 1. After all, he was injured, it showed, and he was a liability. His replacement will at least be healthy and functional. Let's keep this thing rolling, man! Pedal to the metal, baby! Roll these boys in Game 2. Regroup, and roll em again in Game 3! Period.— 5NOT4
- Furthermore, Sykora and Elias, among others, have friggin' KILLED us in the past. I truly hate those guys. And they are fully capable of hurting us. The FlyBoys need to stay on these guys like white on rice for a full 60 minutes! LET'S GO FLYERS!!!— 5NOT4
- You are an idiot if you feel compelled to call someone an idiot for making a comment on this article.— LeroyJenkins26
- Comment removed.
- I thought the process of registering was going to cut down on the cheap insults.— 2smart4philly
- With Clarkson moving up, it will probably be a very effective line for them. Hopefully the Flyers aren't already thinking about the next series as this game 'has' trap written all over it. Keep the pedddle to the metal, boys, and ground the Devils into submission— Vinny1925
- Tonight's order of who I want to win by priority: Flyers, Sixers, Phillies. Although the last two could be switched.— burholme
- Go Flyers. Play like warriors.— LuckyDog
- Lets go for the Philly trifecta tonight, wouldnt that be sweet!— huntnmike3666
