An excerpt from the ESPN article by Scott Burnside who discusses many things, including the missing game of Alex Kovalev:


1. Whatever happened to that really good player Alexei Kovalev?

Unfortunately for the Montreal Canadiens, the great Alexei Kovalev — the one that generated Hart Trophy talk and ended up leading the NHL in power-play points last season — has gone AWOL. Poof. After the Habs’ 3-2 win Saturday against Buffalo, Kovalev has gone 13 games without a goal. He has just five goals so far and is fourth in team scoring.

We know the what; the why is harder to figure out. The Habs have more offensive tools this season with Alex Tanguay and Robert Lang coming aboard, and whether that has somehow disrupted Kovalev’s karma is unknown, but the gifted forward definitely has become more pedestrian after embracing a leadership role with the team last season. One thing is certain: The lovefest with the Russian is definitely waning, as the Habs are just 4-4-2 in the past 10 games. Kovalev’s failure to put up meaningful numbers puts more pressure on GM Bob Gainey, who has a slew of potential unrestricted free agents coming up at the end of the season. Would Gainey consider moving Kovalev at the trade deadline if his protracted slump continues? Interesting times ahead, to be sure.