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Kovalchuk's Lax Defense Aids Islanders

New York Islanders' Matt Moulson (26) celebrates his hat trick against the Atlanta Thrashers with Islanders defensemen Mark Streit, center, of Switzerland, and Jack Hillen (38) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009, at Philips Arena, in Atlanta. The Islanders won 4-1. (AP Photo/Gregory Smith)

More photos » Gregory Smith - AP

3 months ago: New York Islanders' Matt Moulson (26) celebrates his hat trick against the Atlanta Thrashers with Islanders defensemen Mark Streit, center, of Switzerland, and Jack Hillen (38) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009, at Philips Arena, in Atlanta. The Islanders won 4-1. (AP Photo/Gregory Smith)

Last night I sat with two local rec hockey players and we talked about Ilya Kovalchuk's pathetic defensive effort. Ilya has improved on the defensive side of the puck since being named team Captain one year ago, but after watching the goal highlights on www.NHL.com I decided I just couldn't let this pass without commenting on it.

If you watch the 1st highlight clip you will see Matt Moulson stop near the top of the Thrashers defensive zone. Kovalchuk cruises in, circles below him and then just skates away. Now I don't expect Kovalchuk go to pull a "full Ovechkin" on this guy, but I do expect him to stop and put his stick and body in the passing/shooting lane. Because Ilya just skates right past him, Moulson has all the time in the world to stop, wind up and pick his target--and he scores.

 


The 3rd Moulson goal is also assisted by "defensive indifference" from the Captain Kovalchuk. Watch the video clip and once again you'll see the Islander (Streit) with the puck up at the top of the Thrashers defensive zone. You'll see Kovalchuk enter the picture but then he just peels away without applying any sort of pressure on the puck carrier. Once again you'll see the Islander with lots of time, wind up and fire a shot--which is then tipped in front by Matt Moulson again to break a 2-2 tie to give the Isles a 2 goal lead in the 3rd period. That goal proves to be the game winner (oops, my bad!).

 


I know that Ilya takes pride in being Captain and a team leader, but last night he really let down his teammates and fans with his play. Kovalchuk is big, fast and highly skilled--he needs to make life a bit more difficult for opposing players in the defensive zone. It will increase the team's chances of winning each night.

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Possible reason for Kovy's play

The AJC reported that Anderson said that both Kovy and Kubina were sick yet played against the Islanders. Perhaps this is why he didn’t play very well defensively.

by Zontar on Dec 5, 2009 8:54 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Well I’d be willing to cut him some slack for the Islanders game then. His coverage was worse than normal, but he still needs to mark his man better in the D zone—even when healthy.

All things Thrashers + stats: www.birdwatchersanonymous.com

by The Falconer on Dec 5, 2009 12:12 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

The final score was 4-1, so I’m not sure where you’re getting the “which is then tipped in front by Matt Moulson again to break a 2-2 tie. That goal proves to be the game winner” stuff…

by CuckooForKovalchuk on Dec 5, 2009 12:34 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

hmmm, good point.

All things Thrashers + stats: www.birdwatchersanonymous.com

by The Falconer on Dec 5, 2009 1:49 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

:)

That wasn’t a comment on the content, just trying to help :) Keep up the great work!

by CuckooForKovalchuk on Dec 5, 2009 6:19 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I agree some lazy defense, but I wish that entire games were archived online for free somewhere, that would make it a lot easier for us to understand what had unfolded prior to the 10 second highlight sequence. Sometimes Kovy is coming back from a hard rush prior to their possession and is probably naturally fatigued. Personally, I’d prefer to see Kovy get less time so that maybe he can play more of a two-way game, but no hockey player likes taking a reduction in minutes I’m sure.

by ThrashersRecaps on Dec 5, 2009 1:31 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Recaps

Good question, but I was there and neither OLE by Ilya appeared to be influenced by the prior 10 seconds. Nik also OLE’d on the 3rd goal, and went back to cover between the faceoff circles, but I’ve got to believe he peeled off when he saw Kovy approach Moulson, assuming Ilya would continue to Moulson.

by JLH on Dec 5, 2009 2:50 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

 I totallly agree with your comments. I sit in section 121 and almost jumped over the glass before Moulson even shot the 1st one, when Kovy did his Ole!. As you said, even if he was ill, he could have at least blocked the shooting lane, or if he was worried about getting hit in the foot with a shot again (which is prudent), he could have at least stopped and put his stick out. Not what I want to see from our captain. If he was sick, and his illness made him a liability, then he should not have played. I admire the desire to play through an injury or illness, but you can’t make yourself a liability out there.

by JLH on Dec 5, 2009 2:42 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Same OLE Game From Kovy

Sick, broken foot, tired, all BS excuses for something that is completely inexcusable. This is nothing new. Kovalchuk is the most irresponsible player in his own end in the NHL. If it weren’t for his Super Star puck handling skills he would not be playing in the league. Kovy’s problem is he is always thinking score and create space for himself even in his own end. No one gives him space like he gave the opposition in the posted videos. He actually skated away from the play and HIS player in both situations, once toward the wall and once out of the zone and into the neutral zone. Junior players don’t do this and if they do, they don’t make it out of Juniors. It is mind boggling that someone with his skills can not play a more responsible game and actually cover his points. Playing wing in your own end is the easiest position to play in the game.

The Thrashers need to tighten things up big time on D if they want to make the playoffs. And it starts with Kovalchuk.

by sjgraci on Dec 5, 2009 3:39 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Defense is the team's responsibility

I keep saying it! It is the entire team’s responsibility, but shoiuld start with Kovalchuk since he is the captain. Reason we are giving up too many goals and shots is that the entire team is not taking away passing or shooting lanes.

by BTF on Dec 5, 2009 4:55 PM EST via mobile reply actions   0 recs

what i dont understand is how kovy seems to think its alright. how do get to this level and and not work to improve on your game, its clearly not that hes trying and failing its that hes not even trying, and not just defense either i cant remember the last time i saw kovy hard after a loose puck, he just floats around the offensive zone waiting for his teammates to set him up.

by swegs on Dec 5, 2009 10:44 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

You know that’s interesting. I swear, two seasons ago when Kovy was the only player who gived a damn, he actually played defense. It’s like 05-06 all over again. Good players around him, and he just doesn’t play the complete game.

by EvilMilkshake on Dec 6, 2009 11:47 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

foot?

maybe previous broken foot has something to do with it?

by wax_house on Dec 6, 2009 10:51 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

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