Kovalchuck says he’s ready to go for Game 3

New Jersey Devils forward Ilya Kovalchuk missed the team’s Game 2 victory on Tuesday night with a back issue. It probably helped the team win considering he was so god awful on defense in Game 1.

But, on Thursday, he says he’s healthy and ready for Thursday’s Game 3, which will be played on Thursday of this week.

“I feel good and I’m ready to go,” Kovalchuk said.

Head coach Pete DeBoer, however, says that Kovalchuk will be a “game-time decision.”

“I think with players, these guys know their bodies better than doctors, coaches, anybody else,” DeBoer said. “So, it’s not me seeing something. It’s him knowing what we need out of him and whether he feels his body is capable of giving us that. That’s where we’re at. Players have to make those decisions.”

It sounds like Ilya already made that decision then. Looks like he’ll be suiting up in New Jersey for a crucial game in the series tied at 1-1.

“Why would you sit there and rest if you feel better and you’re ready to go?” Kovalchuk asked. “Now, Pete, he will decide what he wants to see in the lineup tonight.”