They got a Conference title over the strongest NYR and PHI teams in a long time...Kovalchuk's ability to solve Lundqvist was huge that year for that rivalry. Yeah it's not the Cup but they really shut the other Atlantic teams up that year.
God bless kovalchuk my favorite player of all time since the thrashers I miss him so much he better not go to the rangers I have a Jersey a million cards a stick with his curve and a signed photo I love him he's GOAT come back Kovy you'd be the best player
As a Pens fan I find nothing wrong about what Kovlachuk did. In fact it was a good learning experience. He's basically telling Crosby you to be disciplined and not take retaliatory penalties. I actually thought thus was kind of funny
Kovy has a some gold medals with Russia too he even scored a couple of overtime goals to get them, not to mention he's in the Stanley cup finals right now
Nothing classless or crybaby about this. This is just hockey. If you actually play these kind of things happen all the time. It's just the hockey rivalry energy.
This game had an effect on Crosby. After this game I don't remember Crosby diving ever again. He ended up with 3 cups and easily top 5 all-time. Funny thing about life is that humbling experiences bring out the dragon in you.
Could you imagine how mutch it burns inside Sidney Crosby when hes on the ice? I mean hes like the most humble guy of the ice in the whole world but on it... oh boy hes like Dr Jekyll and mr Hyde! That is what makes him the best player in the world.
You know that winning a Cup is a team effort right. On the Thrashers they made the playoffs once, and now he is actually on a good team and he could win something in this league
Does anyone know if Kovalchuk is a Hull fan. I just was wondering because that PP Goal was very Hull like, the great slapshot onetimer and he does wear the number 17 like Hull did (in Detroit)
i cant explain how happy i am i found u, ur the first person who is smart enough not 2 listen 2 everyone. u and me realize ovie backchecks. hes great in all aspects of the game, scoring, hitting, defense, passing. im glad someone realizes that ovie is a complete player
linemates are only partly related to the point production. Those who benefit from a better team are the second/third liners who don't face the better defensive matchups. Though centres may get more opportunities for assists, it is a harder position than a winger because of the defensive responsibilities involved. Wingers can play more offensively as they have more time to rest, allowing them to be more explosive.
I didn't mean to shun the passing aspect of hockey, but you did bring up that leading the league in points topic. Have you seen the Penguins roster in comparison with the Thrashers? Despite the obvious talent imbalance in linemates, Kovalchuk is a winger. Though they may contribute many assists, Wingers are more or less the designated one-timer..ers (bad english, whatever). It's no coincidence that Crosby has had so many assists, while both Ovechkin and Kovalchuk have had so many goals.
@TheGoldenDuck01 with the pens tanking games for several seasons, they were able to build a better supporting cast to make a championship run. malkin, fleury, staal, etc. a championship is a team achievement. is dan marino not a good QB because he didnt win a ring?
yes you are. kovy is not in the box that much. bernier costs his team stanley cups. kovy is passonite, and a great leader. not to mention a great player.
@neecree Ovie has proven he's been the best player in the league. His teams haven't proven to be the best teams in certain tournys (Olympics/Cup) so you can't fault him on TEAM TROPHIES. Look at how long it took Yzerman to get a cup, even after the Wings started becoming a playoff team it took a while for them to finally clinch in 97. Ovechkin's playoff numbers are amazing and the day Malkin gets a nod for Selke you can say he's a two way player, cuz he's never been one.
It really doesnt get much better than this. Kovalchuk rarely shows anything but pure sportsmanship and he shows Crosby how an elite player is supposed to play.... honorably. I wonder what the league thinks about the widespread hatred of their premier player? Thank you Flyers! No more Crosby till next year!
@KashiwaDaisuke he had a great team behind him..lets see him on the 2009 oilers..see how close he would come to the playoffs..where did he take them this year??? to play golf :)
I really like watching this video. I can't help but feel a little sorry for Sidney Crosby, because his face looks so sad. But at the same time, I like Ilya Kovalchuk, so I like seeing him school Crosby. The emotions here make this a fascinating episode to view.
implying that that backhand wasn't more accurate and powerful than Sid's forehand, and he's made that same shot at least 3 times before, I'd love to see sid try to put a puck into such a small opening while on his backhand
@xRipzo The fact Kovalchuk signed with Jersey is not a common occurance. Considering Parise is restricted, he's trying to get a good signing deal between he and lou. I doubt he's going to give up his C for another team.
he isn't half the playmaker that Datsyuk, Zetterberg, or either of the Sedins are, James Neal has a pretty good shot but not even close to Kovalchuk, Stamkos actually does have a better wrist shot but Kovy has an better slap shot, snap shot, backhand, and one timer. and finally Kovy has the best shootout stats in the league so he's pretty clutch
Oh yeah, and Malkin had more points then Crosby in the playoffs. 36 points for Malkin vs. 31 for Crosby in the same amount of games. I agree that Malkin probably isn't as good as Crosby, but just because he didn't perform in the last few games, he still led the league in playoff points and was a MAJOR reason they even made it to the finals in the first place.
