Back to work

The Devils were back on the ice this morning at Prudential Center's practice rink after having three days off for the Christmas break. To try to shake off the holiday cobwebs and get the team ready for Friday night's home game against Buffalo, Devils coach Brent Sutter put the players through a hard-skating practice that lasted more than an hour. After that, they took a group ride on stationary bicycles.

"They hadn't skated in a few days, so they did have a tough skate," Sutter said.

The Devils dedicated part of the practice to working on their power play, which went 0-for-15 on the three-game trip to Western Canada.

Defenseman Karel Rachunek did not practice and remains out with what the team is calling "a twisted (right) ankle", though it appeared that Rachunek injured his knee when he caught his skate in a rut in Friday's win in Edmonton.

Left wing Zach Parise did practice and said he was feeling better and will play against the Sabres after missing Sunday's win in Calgary with the flu. "Today was probably the best day, actually," he siad. "I couldn't really eat much until yesterday. Today, I didn't have a lot of energy. That's the hard part right now."

Martin Brodeur, who is tied for second in the league with 18 wins, will start again against Buffalo.

There were no surprises among the line combinations and defense pairings.

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

Defense: White-Mottau; Oduya-Martin; Vishnevski-Brookbank; Greene.

Comments

[Zavior]

TG,

There was a report last week that Lou skipped the Western Canada trip with the Devils so that he can
pull a trade before the holiday roster freeze. Although he was unable to make it happen there are rumours that something might happen tomorrow once the trade freeze is finished. Did you hear anything about a trade and who may be involved?

Thanks
Zavior

[Bill]

Welcome back, TG. Here's hoping you and yours had a great holiday. Keep up the great work!

[TG]

Zavior,
Sorry to disappoint you, but I asked Lou Lamoriello about that today and he claimed his comment was misinterpreted and that he did not say he was working on a trade. "I said that because the trade deadline was at a certain date, I preferred to stay home until that was over," Lamoriello said.

When I asked him if I should expect a deal to be announced at 12:01 a.m. tonight, he said, "No."

[Scott731]

Then there is still hope to hear a deal announced at 12:02 AM, nice. jk

[DevilWorshipper]

I'm a little surprised that Parise skated with Zajac and Langs instead of Elias and Gionta. That looks like nothing more than an effort to try and get Zajac and Langs on the scoresheet. Zajac has been a colossal disappointment this season. I know he gets a pass because he's a developing young player, but I would have thought Sutter's coaching would have had a greater impact on him than it has. I'm starting to wonder whether Zajac is better suited as a defensively responsible checking forward, in the mode of a Madden or Pandolfo, who skates on a 3rd and 4th line, than as a 1st or 2nd line scoring forward. Zajac's lack of offensive production is killing every forward he skates with. Langenbrunner hasnt exactly been playing consistently well, either, but nobody ever seems to call him out on it. This coaching staff seems to have more patience with certain players (like Zajac and Langs) than with others (like Elias, Greene, and Oduya).

[Steve]

Any chance the Devils might consider bringing up Peter Vrana within the next 10 days? I think Vrana could be the centerman that could help jumpstart the offense.

[Uli_Heimer]

Vrana would be a welcome substitution for Pelley in my book. Pelley brings NOTHING to the table.