No confirmation yet that Ilya Kovalchuk will play tonight in Newark, but he did take part in the morning skate despite what The Star-Ledger is calling a herniated disc in his back.
Update: Kovalchuk says he’s “ready to go,” but it’s the coach’s decision. “I feel really good,” he added.
Kovalchuk missed Game 2 in Philadelphia, a 4-1 Devils win.
If he does play Game 3, it could be in a limited capacity. This morning he was skating on the fourth line with Ryan Carter and Stephen Gionta.
Update: Or maybe not. When asked if Kovalchuk could see limited minutes, coach Pete DeBoer replied, “If he’s in, he’s full in.”
Related: DeBoer on Kovalchuk injury: “You’re going to see him again in the series”