Moving in

The Devils finally got to skate on the ice surface at Prudential Center today for the morning skate and reported the ice to be in decent shape, considering no one had skated on it before and that it was covered all week for the Bon Jovi concert.

"It's good considering what's taken place the last couple of nights," center John Madden said. "I think it will be great tonight."

Saturday morning was also the Devils' first time in their new locker room. The floor is covered with bright red carpet with the Devils' logo in the middle. The room still smelled of fresh paint. Jay Pandolfo was the first one out and headed for the showers.

"If anyone cares, I've got the first shower in the new building," Pandolfo joked.

There was no word on whether the hot water was working.

The Devils are going with the same lineup as Thursday night with Mike Mottau as the only healthy scratch (not including Richard Matvichuk, who is still waiting for a trade). Colin White (right eye), Cam Janssen (right shoulder) and Jamie Langenbrunner (sports hernia surgery) all stopped by for the morning skate, but didn't stick around long enough to speak to the media.

Right wing Arron Asham skated on the fourth line with Mike Rupp and Rod Pelley after missing Friday's practice with "bumps and bruises."

Tonight's expected line combinations and defense pairs (based on the morning skate):

Forwards: Elias-Zajac-Zubrus; Brylin-Parise-Gionta; Pandolfo-Madden-Clarkson; Rupp-Pelley-Asham.

Defense: Oduya-Martin; Greene-Rachunek; Vishnevski-Brookbank.

Comments

[kc]

sit johnny o bring back matvichuk