Ottawa Senators forward Alex Kovalev says it looks like he's being made the scapegoat for the team's poor performance, and he wishes people would get off his back.
Coach Cory Clouston pushed Kovalev to the fourth line this week after criticizing his work ethic.
"I'm not the only one that's not playing well, so there's nothing I can do about it. And (the coach) decides to pick me, so there's nothing I can do about it," Kovalev told reporters before Friday night's game against the New Jersey Devils.
Kovalev, who is in his second year of a two-year $10-million U.S. contract, has just seven goals and seven assists this season.
He says throughout his career he's been blamed when his team is struggling and he wishes people would stop pointing the finger at him.
"Just let me play the way I can. I think that's the only Christmas wish I can have right now," he said.
The Sens will battle the New Jersey Devils at Scotiabank Place Friday night. The game will mark Anton Volchenkov's first return to Ottawa since he was signed as a free agent by the Devils in July.
