Kovalchuk scored his seventh goal of the season Saturday in a 5-4 shootout win over the Golden Knights.

EDGE Analysis

Too many people were afraid to scoop this old man off the waiver wire after he moved to Quebec, but it's probably too late now. Kovalchuk has eight points (four goals, four assists) in eight games in bleu, blanc et rouge. We can't see this continuing at this pace -- Kovalchuk's feet are far slower than today's game. But short term, he can help you if he's available.

Kovalchuk had two goals in a 4-1 win over Philadelphia on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Kovalchuk was irrelevant with the Kings but has been anything but since joining the Canadiens, now with seven points in seven contests with Montreal. The 36-year-old's first of the night came with the man advantage and turned out to be the game-winning goal. Two of Kovalchuk's first three goals with his new club have been decisive difference makers.

Kovalchuk registered an assist and four hits in Wednesday's 4-1 loss to the Blackhawks.

EDGE Analysis

Kovalchuk has been excellent since joining the Canadiens, with a goal and four helpers in six games. He's at 14 points in 23 appearances overall when factoring in his time with the Kings, but the recent form suggests the 36-year-old Russian might have a little gas left in the tank after all.

Kovalchuk scored his first goal as a member of the Canadiens in a 2-1 overtime win over the Senators on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

His wrister went in off the right post. Kovalchuk has four points in four games with the Habs. The old man seems to still have it, despite pundits saying his signing was a bad one for the bleu, blanc et rouge. Check your wire. Kovy may be there and he might just help.

Kovalchuk tallied two assists, one with the man advantage, in a 4-3 loss to Detroit on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

The 36-year-old led Montreal forwards in ice time (21:22) and rewarded his team with a pair of assists, giving Kovalchuk three helpers in his first two games as a Canadien. Unfortunately, Montreal has lost both contests. It remains to be seen what role Kovalchuk will have on the team once it gets injured regulars back in the lineup, but early signs suggest Kovalchuk has plenty left in the tank and could easily carve out a regular role with a healthy Canadiens club. His fantasy value is climbing steadily.

Kovalchuk had an assist, four shots and six hits over 19:25 of ice time in Monday's 3-2 loss to Winnipeg.

EDGE Analysis

Kovalchuk was active in his Montreal debut as evidenced by the number of hits; the six hits are half the number he recorded in 17 games with the Kings this season. He skated on the Canadiens' top line, taking the spot of Brendan Gallagher (concussion) on the right wing, and finished second among the team's forwards in ice time. That's a good sign as the Canadiens were concerned about the 36-year-old forward's conditioning after he had not played in a game since mid-November. The veteran will have his conditioning tested Tuesday when the Habs play the second of a back-to-back set at Detroit.

Kovalchuk will play in Monday's game versus the Jets after clearing up visa issues, Matt Cudzinowski of the Canadiens' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kovalchuk signed a league-minimum deal with the Habs on Friday after his stint in Los Angeles didn't pan out. The Russian sniper is in line for a major workload right away, as he worked with the first line and top power-play unit during Monday's practice. Kovalchuk rarely played in the top six with the Kings, so this is a 'prove-it' situation for now.

Kovalchuk will participate in his first practice with Montreal on Sunday, Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kovalchuk arrived in Montreal on Saturday but was not ready to suit up for that evening's game against Pittsburgh. The 36-year-old forward said he's been skating nearly every day since becoming an unrestricted free agent after the Kings terminated his three-year contract Dec. 17. The Canadiens will get a look at Kovalchuk on Sunday before deciding on a role. The 2001 first-overall pick (2001) scored 184 power-play goals during his career, so Kovalchuk could be used on that unit.

Kovalchuk won't play in Saturday's game against the Penguins since he's still working out visa issues, Dave Molinari of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kovalchuk signed with the Canadiens on Friday, but the paperwork won't be sorted out in time for the 36-year-old to make his debut with the new squad. He'll aim to crack the lineup Monday versus the Jets, and he figures to work in a middle-six role with power-play responsibilities.

Kovalchuk is unlikely to be in the lineup for Saturday night's game against the Penguins, Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kovalchuk, who was signed by Montreal on Friday, is still working on visa issues, so it's unlikely he'll be ready for Saturday's game. He signed a two-way contract, but the 36-year-old forward is not expected to spend any time at AHL Laval. The Canadiens made this low-risk move because they have four of their top nine forwards on injured reserve. The Habs will need to assess his fitness before deciding how to deploy Kovalchuk in the lineup.