Opportunity knocks for Mottau, Greene

Devils coach Brent Sutter's decision to sit out rookie defenseman Anssi Salmela for a game or two so he can learn by watching, is creating opportunities for both Mike Mottau and Andy Greene.

Mottau steps into Salmela's spot at the point on the first power-play unit..

"He's pretty good at getting pucks at the net and he's got to stay within himself," Sutter said. "He's not a player that's going to be roaming around the ice and making all of these fancy plays. He's got to be one who knows his job. It's important for guys to understand that. Coaches implement things and players put it in use. You've got to read situations and react to situations."

Sutter is looking for Greene, who will paired with Johnny Oduya, to play a simple game.

"Just come in and be a steady player," Sutter said. "Play with some intensity and some emotion and be just a real steady player for us."

Sutter said he was not unhappy with the way Greene played during training camp and was pleased with the improvements he made by spending the summer in New Jersey working out at the team's facility.

"His skating is better," Sutter said. "We weren't at all disapointing in Greenie. He did improve, but Salmela had a great exhibition (season) and training camp and deserved the right to start the season as one of our top six guys. That had nothing to do with Greenie and (Sheldon Brookbank)."

Sutter said it's important that Salmela use the time he's not playing constructively.

"I think it's good for him, as long as he's paying attention and watching the games and taking something out of it, so he can understand the pace the game is played at now," Sutter said. "That's not a bad thing. It's human. He's a young guy that's still trying to find his way through it."

***

The Devils spent more time today working on the power play, which is 1-for-11 for the season and scoreless in it's last nine attempts. The second unit of Zach Parise, Travis Zajac, David Clarkson, Jamie Langenbrunner and Paul Martin has been more effective than the first -- producing the team's only power-play goal thus far and more good scoring chances -- with it's straight forward approach. Sutter wants the first unit of Patrik Elias, Brian Gionta, Bobby Holik, Brian Rolston and Mottau to follow their example.

"Just simplifying things," Gionta said. "We say it all the time when we're struggling, but it's the only thing you can do. Take the open shot that's there and win battles."

Although it's only three games into the season, Sutter believes it's important for the team to get out of its power play funk early before it grows into something bigger.

"There's a reason why one unit has had more scoring opportunities on the power play than the other and it's because they're getting pucks to the net and they're creating stuff from there," Sutter said. "You've always got to go back to basics. We're doing the things we need to do (in practice)...It's three games into it. I just dont' want it to magnify and magnify and magnify. That's why we're working on this and trying to correct it as quickly as possible. We don't want to go through a year like we had last year where we never produced on the power play."

***

Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur on not letting the disappointment of losing to the Rangers on Monday carry over to Thursday night's game in Atlanta: "You have to. We matched up against them and it didn't work out. It's early in the season. We can't, especially now, start dwelling on it. We don't play them for another month or so (Nov. 12), so we don't have to think about that too much. We have to do our share of winning. Right now, they are the top team. They haven't lost, yet. So, this is a goal for us to try to get them, so when the next time comes we can try to make that game as big as possible. You'd love to win them all, especially the tough games like Monday, but it doesn't happen all the time. Definitely, we'll learn from it. I don't think they really outplayed us. The bounces went their way."

***

Salmela may have been born to be a Devil. His middle name is Tapio.

***

Barnum and Bailey Circus is at Prudential Center while the Devils continue their four-game road trip. Some of the animals' cages were being set up in a lot behind the arena and part of Lafayette St. was closed down today to make it easier for circus equipment to move equipment around. This morning, a performer rode a bicycle on a high wire from Penn Station to Prudential Center on the Today Show.

Comments

[Jason]

"The bounces went their way."

Yeah, especially when said bounces were headed your way.

[Matt McNaught]

Enough w/ the Brodeur bashing please.

[murph]

is the ice going to be bad from this circus next wednesday or do they have it figured out

[MoonDragn]

What does Tapio have to do with born to be a Devil TG?

Isn't Tapio the Finnish god of the forest and hunt?

[Scott731]

I'm not sure there is any solution to having the circus in town when it comes to ice, it will hurt no matter what.

[bf]

I heard that they melted the ice for the circus.

[Matt McNaught]

Tapio Levo played for the Colorado Rockies & Devils from 81-83. He also played in World Championships and Olympics for Finland.

[Jason]

I am going to take this team apart for any possible mistake. If the team doesn't win, everyone should go until we find a team that wins 82 games per year. Also wanted to let you all know I am a pretentious, overly critical jerk, heavy on the hockey talk, light on the hockey knowledge.

[MoonDragn]

Never mind, I totally forgot about Tapio Levo

[Jason]

I didn't post that previous comment...

[Jason]

It's one thing to be a keyboard tough-guy when you are posting under the typical veil of anonymity that you get on the web. It's quite another to falsify your identity. You are a coward.

[Jason]

And I'll bash Brodeur all I want. He has done some despicable things as a person, and it's frankly embarrassing that he is never made to answer for them. Other athletes have been crucified for less. It just so happens he plays a sport that most of the country couldn't care less about. At least my bashes, are based on his play.

[Robbie]

Every player has a bad game. Not every player is perfect. I understand you bashing Brodeur about his play but move on (same with Clarkson). The game is in the past and look for the next one.

[frankied]

Why doesn't Oduya get any PP time. You remember how many times the Devils have trouble rushing the puck up the ice and setting up the PP? Oduya would solve that. Remember his end to end highlight reel goal last year? This guy has potential. His slapshot is pretty good, too.

[Сitizen]

In other words Salmela is "a player that's going to be roaming around the ice and making all of these fancy plays." That's the end of the clown.

[johnny]

jason, ur a coward.

[Mike in Idaho]

Has it really been a whole year since we were all bashing Oduya (me included)? I actually agree with you frankied. I also disagree with Brodeur's assessment of the game against the Rangers. It didn't look to me like the Devils started playing until about 7 minutes left to go in the second period. There was no injustice in the result, and this is from a Ranger hater!

[Robbie]

I thought Salmela was doing pretty good up to the last game. Thats why we have a rotation system. Give Greene a shot and/or Brookbank.

[in lou i trust]

A lot of people have been saying who they think should come out and who should go in, including myself...it's all just passion for our team and we want to win and beat the rangers especially....all i know is that the next time I hear "u can't beat us!!"...it better be us that says it

[Kevin]

Totally agreed Robbie, the team flat out is better with Salmela. Greene had a chance to be good, but I think a young, tougher skater is the way of the future. He will be a fine player.
Jason, conviction is a luxury of those on the sidelines. To bash him as a goalie, fine. He's human, he gives up bad goals, you're entitled to say what you will about him as a hockey player. But to attack him on a personal level is immature. Because you don't matter in the scheme of the world, no one cares to dig around your closet for skeletons. I am sure you have a far from perfect record in making decisions. When you are in the spot light, and with people making a living by selling "news," celebrities have their dirty laundry aired regularly.
And who should he answer to? You? HA, how presumptuous. He needs to answer to himself and his children, not some self righteous punk who posts on his teams blog. Get over yourself in a hurry, you nasty Rangers fan.

[Robbie]

in lou i trust. That is what I am trying to say. You couldn't of said it better man

[Robbie]

BTW, Sabres are leading the Rangers 3-1 with about 9 minutes left in the third.

[AK47]

And they lost. Nothing special about their game nor PP. They were on fire by beating 3 teams same ones who still have not won a game yet. We will get them next time.

[drewbee30]

so much for 82-0!! better luck next year!! As we all seem to throw out our feelings to who should be in and out, I'd like to add that I think its time for Clarkson to sit!! Put Vrana in give, give the kid a chance. I for one was very exicted with Clarkson last year, he brought a lot of energy to the team early on, but now seems to be fading off. Vrana can't do any worse!!

GABORIK WANTED

[Robbie]

Dreewbee30, I think I speak for all of us here when I say we would love to have him here, but don't count on it.