Expect Pandolfo to play tonight

Devils left wing Jay Pandolfo and head coach Brent Sutter both said they would wait until later to decide if Pandolfo will play tonight against the Pittsburgh Penguins, but all signs indicate that the decision has already been made that  Pandolfo will make his return from a pubic bone ligament injury.

After staying on extra at the end of today's optional morning skate, right wing Arron Asham said he had already been told he's not playing tonight. If Pandolfo doesn't play, the Devils don't have another active forward (Cam Janssen is still on injured reserve and also skated extra today).

Pandolfo hasn't played since he was injured on Nov. 28 against Dallas. He said he's going to prepare today as if he's going to play tonight. "Hopefully, I'll be playing, but it hasn't been decided, yet," he said. "I'm just going to come tonight ready to play."

Sutter was non-committal.

"It's going to be decision (made) later today - a game-time decision," he said.

If Pandolfo does skate tonight, it will be only the Devils' second game this season in which they have their entire lineup healthy (not counting Janssen).

Pandolfo skated this morning for about 20 minutes. Rod Pelley, Andy Greene, Sheldon Brookbank, Mike Rupp and Kevin Weekes also skated (along with Asham and Janssen).

Greene and Brookbank will again be healthy scratches.

Comments

[JellyBean]

I wonder how Asham and Janssen get along being that they had so many fights between them when Aaron was on the Islanders... They always seemed to have mutual respect as hard nosed players though. I cant remember which fight it was, but Asham even gave Janssen a "nice fight" pat after one of them.

[Ron]

If Asham doesn't play tonight, and Pandolfo doesn't end up playing will they dress a 7th defensmen?

[MoonDragn]

Hey TG can you tell Sutter he's making a big mistake in sitting Greene? He has the potential to be another Niedermayer and we have him benched... This kid is gold. Don't like his cool demeaner fool you, he's as passionate as the next guy for the game.

If Sutter gave him as much chances as he did Oduya, he'd be winning that Norris trophy right now.

[blue-eyed devil]

Mr. Gulitti, did Pandolfo sign a contract extension? The NY Times is reporting he did.

[JJ]

Stir the pot Moondragn, stir the pot! :) I have a feeling Greene is getting traded.

[blue-eyed devil]

Nix my comment- my friends are stupid and sent me a link from 2002!

[Ron]

I agree that its a mistake for Sutter to keep sitting Greene. I think it would be a loss to trade him, I hope that isn't the plan. TG any thoughts on this?

[Brodeur30]

Finally asham is riding the pine....Took long enough. Besides taking penalties, I haven't heard his name called in quite some time.

[TG]

There's no chance they'll dress seven D tonight. Greene and Brookbank skated for a long time this morning with Asham and Janssen.

[MoonDragn]

If they ever trade Greene, I hope it comes back and bite us on the butt. It would be like giving another team an advantage over us. I've seen devils defensemen come and go in the past but nobody as talented as Greene in terms of potential. In my opinion the only flaw he has is his size. But because he's a good skater that doesn't really matter. They need to use him for his mobility and composure.

[JJ]

I don't know man, if you seriously think he's so good why isn't Sutter playing him anymore? He has been steady/composed for sure but they must see something in Oduya & Mottau to have them play over Greene.

[Ron]

I couldnt agree with you more Moondragn. Everybody always talks about his size being a problem, but it shouldn't even be a factor when looking at his skating ability and his instincts on the ice. I wish everyone would get over the size thing. Greene's pros outweigh the cons especially if you put out on the ice with a bigger D.

[MoonDragn]

Cause maybe Sutter has no experience with that type of Player?

They are all used to the big defenseman type who block shots. Remember Sutter came from the Islanders and Robinson came from the Canadiens. They both were used to the Big dumb and tough defensemen who block shots. But not the quick mobile ones.

Maybe they are just blind to that type of player.

Look at the Parise-Elias-Gionta Combo. This line is obvious to us fans and yet it too Albion to convince Sutter to play it again.

[Christina]

I agree Greene needs to be playing. He has impressed me all season and has been sitting out too many games.

[Falcone]

Guys, Andy Greene hasn't done shiat all season. I don't know what you guys are watching, but Greeny needs to go. I like him, but he's not stepping up. At the same time, Johnny O isn't too freakin good either. Maybe put Greeny in for Johnny O?

[Mike]

if Greene was going to be traded, you'd have seen him either being dressed more frequently, or playing in Lowell, so that the scouts can watch him play. For the most part, Oduya has picked up his game recently (save for the Pitt game) and Sutter likes Vishnevski's and Rachunek's games better right now. I think Greene deserves a shot over Rachunek, but VV is a lot more physical than Greene. I'd play VV and Greeney together.

Anyone counting the days until Asham gets traded. It's now more obvious than ever that Sutter and Lou like Rupp and Janssen, respectively, over Asham, who has been incredibly silent in his play for the past few weeks.

Finally, I sure hope we get Weekes get a start in one of next weekend's games against the Ducks or Canes. Tom, any inkling from Sutter that that will be the case ?

[Gunther]

Both Greene and Oduya are second year players, similar in age. It's a trial by fire situation, and it could be Greene has more expectations considering his NCAA pedigree. Sutter has also said players can learn a lot by watching, as well. Oduya definitely is giving Greene his money's worth with the performances he's put on.

[Hoosier]

Don't get the love for Greene. He hasn't earned his spot, he doesn't have Niedermayer potential or close to it, and he doesn't give any special matchup advantages. If the coaches thought Greene was doing a better job than Rachunek, Vishnevski, Mottau, or Oduya, he'd play. Rachunek makes mistakes but is much more mobile and physical and joins the rush better than Greene, Oduya is similar but less physical and more mobile, Vish is stupid but can PK and is physical, and Mottau has established himself as our 3rd dman (frightening) behind Martin and White.

Greene is not mobile. He's one of the worst skaters on the team. He is a high IQ player but he's lost confidence and was making mistakes and not contributing offensively. He is 25 years old. Niedermayer was an entirely different level.

The coaching staff isn't stupid. Big Bird knows how to coach many different types of dmen. He did a great job with Nieds, and has coached and helped develop Rafalski and Martin. Sutter coached Dion Phaneuf, an offensive dman and tons of other players of many different skill sets.

The PEG line is effective but it really robs the 2nd line of skilled players that can make them more consistent. In the regular season I wouldn't worry about loading up the first line as much as the postseason. Good teams will shut them down. They aren't Ottawa's first line, who will tear up any team other than Anaheim. So while I think it is worth a try, loading up the 1st line is far from ideal.

Hopefully Pandolfo's return will take pressure off the top two line. If the 3rd line can play like they did in the beginning of the season and Clarkson picks up his game, it will benefit the other lines tremendously.

[Gunther]

I say we move Rachunek and Asharm, both UFA's, and see if we can pick up a solid Stay at home D man, maybe a Weber or Hamhuis, more likely it would be De Vries.

[MikeK]

Bring back Cam... Enough of this sitting stuff. Now we've got no one to keep Georges in check besides Clarky. (Rupp doesn't know what he's doing in a scrap, if it weren't for his size) Eh, I suppose it all doesn't matter if we win... but do we ever need a win.

You've got supporters Cam, keep working.

[jules]

I’m not really understanding the love-fest for Greene. Granted, Oduya may not be phenomenal, but he’s been scapegoated quite a bit and I don’t think there’s a huge difference right now in terms of ability between the two. Greene’s had quite a few brainfarts of his own (Remember the Rangers game back in December that snapped the nine-game win streak?)

[MoonDragn]

I disagree with you hooster about Greene and Rachunek. Rachunek has looked better recently, especially offensively, but no way is he a better skater than Greene. Greene has show his mobility several times. Once in training camp where he made a sick move towards the net and scored a goal and once just recently when he caught that pass from Elias cross ice and sunk a goal. He definately is a good skater, better than Oduya or Rachunek.

Rachunek is the one that should go in my opinion. Greene is better. I know big bird and Sutter both trained good defensemen, but I just don't think they recognize the difference in Greene. Dumb players can't be taught, but smart players like Greene can be and they will end up better than the dumb ones.

[Scott731]

I like Greene but am amazed at the love he is getting here. I thought he would do more this season but in the playing time he has gotten he has done very little. Oduya and Rachunek have had some games where they were very good and Greene's best games haven't been at that level. Oduya and Greene have played the same amount of games and Oduya has a better +/- and almost double points but gets killed by people, just makes no sense.

[JJ]

I actually think Oduya has greater upside than Greene - more speed, harder shot (needs more accuracy) and can stickhandle better, he just "loses it" in his own end sometimes. He's certainly showed more improvement in his game than Greene. (Not that Greene was bad) Greene's more cerebral and polished but lacks the physical gifts (polish could be the coaching he had at MOO). Maybe we're just looking at a situation where they want competition - which is fine but it seems Greene has been sitting too long. Maybe he's sitting because they think it'll be easier for him step back in when needed without losing too much of his game? Seems to me that the 7th man should be a veteran, like the role Albelin played for a few years there.

[MoonDragn]

The biggest thing that Oduya does that I hate is passing without looking. Oduya doesn't seem to be aware of the on-ice situations and passes even when that pass is highly dangerous. Greene on the other hand always makes the right decisions but is cursed with bad partners who make dumb decisions. You ask why Greene has a bad +/-? He got paired with Vishnevski. Before that he had the highest +/- on the team with Rachunek. That wasn't a coincidence.