Alex Kovalev, 39 and with 429 previous career goals, returned to the NHL on Saturday in a big way, scoring a goal and recording two assists for the Florida Panthers in their 5-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes.
Here are his thoughts on the game and making his return to the NHL after spending last season in Russia's KHL.
Kovalev, playing on the second line for the Panthers with newcomer Peter Mueller and top prospect Jonathan Huberdeau. He and Huberdeau both produced three-point nights. It was very encouraging for a Panthers team that had little scoring outside the top line last season on its way to the Southeast Division title.
Huberdeau, by the way, was bestowed with the Panthers' new player of the game token, a big fluffy hat, for his postgame media scrum (VIDEO).
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