Article content

It sure didn’t take long for Ilya Kovalchuk to win over his new Canadiens teammates.

The team’s celebration after Kovalchuk scored in OT Saturday night in Ottawa to give the Canadiens a 2-1 victory looked like something you’d see in the playoffs. The goal ended an eight-game winless streak (0-7-1) and was also Kovalchuk’s first in four games with the Canadiens to go along with three assists.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Stu Cowan: Canadiens marvel at Kovalchuk's high-end skill, disposition Back to video

“Definitely a little bit of both,” Max Domi said after the Canadiens’ morning skate Monday in Brossard when asked whether the celebration was more about the winless streak ending or Kovalchuk scoring. “I think it’s been a tough stretch, obviously, for our team lately and we all know that. No one wants to lose hockey games. Everyone wants to win and we’re trying our best.”

Photo by Allen McInnis / Montreal Gazette

When Marc Bergevin signed Kovalchuk as a free agent this month after things didn’t work out for him with the Los Angeles Kings, the GM said it was a “no-risk” move, paying the 36-year-old Russian a prorated US$700,000 if he sticks in the NHL and US$70,000 if he goes to the AHL. It definitely was no-risk and so far it’s been money well spent.