Curtis Zupke of the LA Times: Los Angeles Kings coach Willie Desjardins has made forward Ilya Kovalchuk a healthy scratch of late. Kovalchuk said that “it’s horrible” and adds:
“But they’re not playing young guys,” Kovalchuk said. “They’re playing seven D.”
Kovalchuk had started the season playing with Anze Kopitar but his ice-time decreased as he moved down their depth chart. When Desjardins took over in November, Kovalchuk didn’t get much ice time.
“After Willie came here, I don’t have a chance,” Kovalchuk said. “I play five, six minutes a game.