Ilya Kovalchuk scores first goal with Kings
Ilya Kovalchuk has his first goal in the NHL since 2013.
After joining the Los Angeles Kings in the offseason, the former NHL superstar potted his first goal with his new team Tuesday evening against the Winnipeg Jets.
Kovalchuk took a great feed from blueliner Drew Doughty and redirected the puck past goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.
That pass by Drew Doughty, that finish by Ilya Kovalchuk đ
Does it get any prettier than this?#GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/TVyE0oIUt4
â LA Kings (@LAKings) October 10, 2018
The Russian sniper has returned to the NHL after a lengthy absence. Kovalchuk spent five years in the KHL before agreeing to a three-year, $18.75 million US deal with the Kings this offseason.
The 35-year-old recorded scored 816 points in 816 career games with the Atlanta Thrashers and the New Jersey Devils before leaving North America in 2013 for SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL.
Kovalchuk led the KHL in scoring last season and was named MVP of the Olympic tournament in Pyeongchang, leading the âOlympic Athletes from Russiaâ to a gold medal in the process.
It looks like he hasnât missed a beat.