Ilya Kovalchuk scored the overtime winner in Saturday night's 2-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, it was the 17th overtime goal of his career.
He now sits third all-time in overtime goals, trailing only Alex Ovechkin (23) and Jaromir Jagr (19).
It's almost certain that Kovalchuk will be able to pass Jagr before he retires, but he'll have a difficult time keeping up with Ovechkin, who is showing zero signs of slowing down.
Kovalchuk was selected first overall by the Atlanta Thrashers at the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. He played eight seasons with the Thrashers and recorded 40+ goals in a season five times, including two 52-goal seasons. He won the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy in 2003-04, after scoring 41 goals in 81 games.
On Feb. 4, 2010 he was traded to the New Jerseys Devils along with Anssi Salmela, and a 2010 second round pick for Johnny Oduya, Nicklas Bergfors, Patrice Cormier, a 2010 first round pick, and a 2010 second round pick.
He spent five seasons with the Devils before retiring from the NHL and returning home to Russia to play in the KHL. He left just three seasons after signing a 15-year, $100 million contract.
Kovalchuk spent the next five seasons with St. Petersburg of the KHL, but returned to the NHL in 2018 after signing a three-year contract with the L.A. Kings.
Earlier this season, Kovalchuk's contract was terminated by the Kings, but two weeks later he signed a one-year, $700,000 deal with the Montreal Canadiens.
After underperforming with the Kings, Kovalchuk has seemingly found his offensive touch again in Montreal, as in 15 games with the Canadiens he has six goals and 12 points.
In 912 career games, he' s registered 442 goals and 871 points.
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