So I will be the first to admit that I am wrong. I have been preaching that we needed one puck carrier per line and a finisher for each to feed to get the most out of them, and it turns out that we didn't need less puck carriers on the line, we needed one more.

Funny how that works, but I hope the line continues its success

 

It was partly balance, but also I figured Kovalev, Samsonov, and to some extent Perezhogin are lost on offense without the puck, and the more they have to share it, the more time they will spend being lost, whereas if they could be spread around, they could each be feeding Latendresse, Johnson, and Begin or Murray in front of the net respectively.

I was pretty suprised at the chemistry they had together, but I really hope it works long run.

You know maybe that's all that needs to happen...Samsonov to accept being second fiddle. You know Perez looks up to Kovy, so you just need Sammy to accept the role of finisher (as if that's a tough role!) rather than puck carrier, and things are ok. And Perez seems to be the "worker" on the line. Lots of skating by the young guy. Good to see. And he's surprisingly tough too.

Well who knows? Kovy could be the "big strong center" we have been looking for all along? With guys like Carbo, Muller and Jarvis as coaches he has some pretty good mentors to teach him the basics of face offs etc. Kovalev is a good athlete and, if his mind is in the right place, he can do it.

Alex Kovalev ready to take the challenge

Robert Laflamme

Presse Canadienne

Montréal

Alex Kovalev, who never walks away from a challenge, says he is ready to pivot the Habs second line, composed of Sergei Samsonov and Alexander Perezhogin.

Coach Guy Carbonneau and General Manager Bob Gainey have been thinking for sometime about the possibility of using Kovalev as centre, in the place of Tomas Plekanec. Carbonneau tried the experience during the third period of Saturday's game. Kovalev answered the call.

"The initial plan was to give Tomas a chance to act as centre on an offensive unit, but it did not work. Now we will see if Alex will be viable solution on a long term bases.

I will give them a chance (Kovalev, Samsonov et Perezhogin) to continue together. They showed some good things on Saturday, but they have to improve certain aspects of their play, notably on defence. From all evidence, the communication between them is very good."

Carbonneau admits that the decision to place Kovalev at centre is being done with the objective of making him more responsible , and in addition to allow him to excercise more leadership."

"Alex can no longer say that it is the fault of his centreman (if it doesn't work). He'll have to blame himself, quipped Carbo.

Kovalev was obviously not at ease on the right wing of Plekanec.

"I think he has had it in his mind to play centre (for sometime)," said Carbo, underlining that he has been practising taking face-offs before the start of practices.

Its been 12 years

For Kovalev, its not been since 1993-94, when he was with the Rangers. That season, he formed a trio with Stéphane Matteau and Steve Larmer.

Under the ironfist of Mike Keenan, the Rangers won the Stanley Cup. And Matteau scored the winning goal in the final.

"I'm at ease playing centre. I learnt how to play all positions. I even played defence when I started in Minor Hockey."

Kovalev advanced that he could be a better player because he'll be in possession of the puck more and he can make more plays. He believes that he can win 40-45 % of his face-offs and he will do the job defensively. 

"If we do good things, we will not have to play defence that much. I will place an emphasis on good communications with the defencemen. The first pass should be made forward, and not from one defenceman to another. We are a completely different team if the first pass clears our zone."

Carbonneau will wait and see if the problem still happens for the three Russians, especially on the road where they don't have the last word on who they play against.

In the meantime, Samsonov was in a better mood today. Perezhogin and Kovalev are happy to be re-united with their compatriot.

"Alex told me that he has played centre before," said Samsonov. He is big and strong, he could do very well. And the second Alex is young and talented. We all speak the same language, but we are different generations. We have similar styles. Now lets hope that we click on the ice."

Perezhogin, said in broken English that he is at ease with Samsonov and Kovalev.

"I like playing with them, it's good for me. We have similar styles. I have to use my speed."

His speed allowed him to get his first gaol of the season against Toronto. He hopes that broke the ice.

"I would have liked to score the first game of the season. My goal on Saturday was my nicest goal in the NHL. I want to score more."

 I note from the column above that Kovy has been complaining about Plecs for a while now. Good move by Carb and Gainey to throw the ball in his court. I'm confident it'll work because it's a new challenge for Kovy and one he wanted.