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Ilya Kovalchuk is hurting, will miss Game 2

Ilya Kovalchuk

New Jersey Devils’ Ilya Kovalchuk, of Russia, celebrates after scoring a goal against the Florida Panthers during the third period of Game 4 of a first-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series, Thursday, April 19, 2012, in Newark, N.J. The Devils won 4-0. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

AP

A surprise out of Philly this morning as Devils GM Lou Lamoriello addressed the media regarding the condition of Ilya Kovalchuk.

Lamoriello says Kovalchuk will miss tonight’s Game 2 against the Flyers thanks to a lower body injury, an ailment he developed during the first round against Florida. Kovalchuk looked less-than stellar in Game 1 and has appeared to play hurt through most of the playoffs. Lamoriello says Kovalchuk is day-to-day.

Whenever he’s been asked about whether he’s hurt or not, Kovalchuk has said he’s perfectly healthy. When he was pressed about his health after Game 1, however, he bristled at the question continuing to insist he was fine.

Seeing is believing, however, and now the Devils will have to make due without one of their most important players. Taking Kovalchuk’s spot in the lineup will be Tim Sestito and finding a way to juggle the lines without Kovalchuk will be a tall task for coach Peter DeBoer.