Ilya Kovalchuk will return to New Jersey Tuesday night for the first time since leaving the Devils for the KHL in the summer of 2013.

Kovalchuk spent six seasons with SKA St. Petersburg before returning to North America and signing with the Los Angeles Kings on July 1. 

The 35-year-old had 12 years remaining on his contract with the Devils when he departed and said Monday he's not expecting a warm welcome on Tuesday night.

"I am pretty sure there will be a lot of booing," Kovalchuk told NHL.com, "but I love that, so it's all good."

He said Monday that while the fans may still be unhappy with his decision to leave six years ago, there's no bad blood between him and then-Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello, who is now GM of the New York Islanders.

"I saw him in Moscow a few times too when I played [in Russia]," Kovalchuk said. "We're always good. I respect the guy and he's a true professional. He will do anything for you when you're on his side. It's all great.

"He did exactly what I asked him," Kovalchuk added. "He did everything very professional."

Kovalchuk has 10 goals and 25 points with a minus-17 in 42 games with the last-place Kings this season and said the crowd could help him produce on Tuesday.

"I was booed a few times in Russia when I played back home against my first team, Spartak," said Kovalchuk, who had two assists Monday and has 25 points (10 goals, 15 assists) in 42 games this season. "I did well. I scored two goals, so we'll see [Tuesday]."