Clarkson plays it smart

Sometimes the wise thing is to keep the gloves on. That's one lesson David Clarkson didn't need to be taught to him in tonight's win over Washington. When Capitals' heavyweight Donald Brashear challenged Clarkson to a fight with the Devils leading 2-0 in the second period, the rookie right wing knew he'd better not.

"That's a pretty big guy," Clarkson said of the 6-foot-3, 239-pound Brashear. "It's something that I wouldn't do unless I had to, like if he hit a linemate of mine. But, we're up two goals. I'm not going to openly square off with a guy that size."

Brashear was unhappy that Clarkson was being physical with the Caps' star players such as Alex Ovechkin.

"He's just doing his job," Clarkson said. "He's just trying to let me know to stop hitting their big players and I respect that. He's going to come out and tell me that, but I've still go to do my job no matter what he says."

Devils coach Brent Sutter was pleased with the way Clarkson played. "I thought it was one of Clarkie's better games he's had here," Sutter said. "He did good things here tonight. He shot the puck pretty well for the most part. He put pucks on net. When Clarkie is into it -- and I mean in a sense where he's physically involved, finishing checks, making the simple plays -- I think he's a pretty effective player."

Comments

[Evans]

Yeah i noticed at the game he was angered but never really did fight i was actually really surprised.

[Devilswede]

It was a smart thing to do by Clarkson, not fighting Brashear...until Brashear hit Madden in the head. That's where I feel someone should've stepped up and challenged Brashear, because that hit was ugly.

[matt]

doesn't look like a spot is gonna open up for Janssen.. unless we get hit w/ injuries. sucks 4 him. But Clarkson is getting it done right now.

[Uli_Heimer]

Gotta love the kid. What basically needs to happen is he, Asham and Janssen need to combine forces on a fourth line from hell whenever we play those scumbags from Philadelphia who are winning through cheap hits. Show them what it's like to be checked hard legally from the front and challenged to a fair fight...

[Uli_Heimer]

BTW Philly's coming up at home on the 16th at...5pm? What's up with these 5pm starts? Such an odd time...January 4th at home (which I'm happy I'll be back in town for) and January 22 in Philly. What's the latest status report on Killa Cam? Should be back by at least that Jan 4th game, right?

[HBK27]

TG - I like how you mentioned the crowd doing the wave in the newspaper summary of the game. I had the same reaction as Marty when I saw section 101 trying to start it up..."What is this, the 80's?". It took them a little while, but once they got it going, the entire crowd really got into it and there was a great buzz in the building (a nice accomplishment, since the game itself wasn't that exciting after the 1st). It was all rather funny - glad some of the players took notice.

[DevsForLife]

I was in section 211 and boy was it fun getting everyone to do the wave. We ought to make a tradition of it from now on. I agree, it's nice to know some of the guys noticed. Hats off to section 101 for making the game more fun. Clarkson impressed me last night and I couldn't be more pleased with the Devils right now

[Jen]

The wave was really silly... but it made me laugh, and it seemed like people were having fun. The players looked a little stumped. I am so glad you mentioned it in the article this morning. I think shows some of the personality of the fans, and the building! Thanks TG!

[Spitting Nails]

Is any true Devils fan surprised at how they keep generating young plaers like Clarkson who are under-rated forwards who are gritty and smart but manage to play very effectively when raised up to the NHL? Can anyone find me another team in the league that year in year out "on paper" starts a season with less proven NHL talent but in the end manages to consistently find themselves in the top tier of the standings?

[Brian]

Clarkson had a good game yesterday, and I was really encouraged to see how he held back after Brashear hit Madden. He made the right choice and it worked out in the end.

[Danofan355]

I was also in section 211, in the back. I thought the wave was a bit silly, but at least it got the crowd involved and got a buzz going around the arena. It was a little quiet and I was rather disappointed with the empty seats for Scott Steven's night.

[Jersey Mike]

I was in section 228 and the wave was hilarious couldn't believe it went around like 3-4 times. As for Clarkson, he is quickly becoming my favorite on the Devils roster. Also for anyone to think that Cam won't get a chance to play when he returns, my feeling is that he will be in the lineup more times then he is out. Cam will almost always be a 4th liner. Clarkson has a little more well rounded game so its not hard to think that he will stay on the checking with Madden and Pando for quite some time. Clarkson is a decent fighter but Cam will take on anyone , anytime. If Clarkson would have stepped up and took on Brashear he would have got pummeled. Not saying Cam would have stood a better chance of winning , but he would have stood a better of not getting pummeled. Now onto the Garden.

[PhantomNJ]

I really like Cam, but I just don't see how he gets much time on this team right now unless they plan on cutting Rupp loose. As it is, they've got enough gritty guys who are willing to step up if players need to be protected. As long as Clarkson keeps bringing that energy, delivering the big hits, while not forgetting his other responsibilities, Cam doesn't really have a role to fill.

Mind you, I wouldn't argue if they decided to bring Cam back in Rupp's place. He'll always have a special place in our hearts for 2003, but he appears to be a forgotten man on this roster.

[ZELDA SUCKs]

I just dont know how Cam Jan can make the roster. Asham can fight almost as well as Cam and actually has offensive potential. No way Cam will take Brylin or Pelly's spot. ONly thing I can see happening is having Cam and Asham rotate. But I would pick Asham over Cam if I was a coach and actually wanted to win.