Full morning skate today; Bergfors in, Halischuk out

After three losses in a row, the Devils are holding a full morning skate today in preparation for tonight's game against Atlanta instead of an optional.

Everyone participated, including captain Jamie Langenbrunner, who missed Friday's practice to attend his grandfather's funeral in Minnesota. Langenbrunner said he flew to Minnesota after skating in Thursday's optional practice and returned to New Jersey Friday night.

Rookie Matt Halischuk stayed on the ice late and won't play. Rookie right wing Nicklas Bergfors is playing tonight.

"I want to see what he can do," Devils coach Brent Sutter said. "We need  to dress one guy, so Halischuk dressed the other night. We'll dress Bergfors tonight."

It will be Bergfors' second NHL game. He made his NHL debut in the 2007-08 season opener in Tampa Bay and injured his shoulder in that game. He said the long break between games makes it feel like this is his first NHL game again.

"It kind of feels like it," he said. "But I'm not going to think about it like that. I have to go play like it's any other game."

Bergfors will skate on the fourth line with Mike Rupp at left wing and Petr Vrana at center. David Clarkson will skate at right wing on the checking line with Jay Pandolfo and John Madden. Halishcuk played with Madden and Pandolfo when he played in his first NHL game on Wednesday night against Toronto.

"Clarkie played very well the other night and we want to play him with Mad Dog and Pando," Sutter said. "And Bergie being there gives us a guy if we need somebody to put in a power-play situation or he could play on one of those other two lines if whatever happens through a game." 

With Andy Greene out with a broken right hand, Sheldon Brookbank will play in the third defense pair with Mike Mottau. Mottau has played primarily on the right side with the Devils, but will shift ot the left side to play with Brookbank.

"I think Motts is fine that way," Sutter said. "Now, he's really on his normal side. He's going to be fine there and if we have to change it up we'll move Motts back with (Colin White) and put Johnny (Oduya) with Brookie if they're not comfortable with that."

Actually, Mottau and Brookbank have some history of playing together. They were defense partners with Cincinnati in the AHL in 2003-04.

The Thrashers have lost five in a row and have only two wins all season, so they will be desperate tonight. Will the Devils?

The Devils' expected lineup for tonight's game.

Forwards: Patrik Elias-Dainius Zubrus-Brian Gionta; Zach Parise-Travis Zajac-Jamie Langenbrunner; Jay Pandolfo-John Madden-David Clarkson; Mike Rupp-Petr Vrana-Nicklas Bergfors.

Defense: Bryce Salvador-Paul Martin; Colin White-Johnny Oduya; Mike Mottau-Sheldon Brookbank.

Goaltender: Martin Brodeur.

Healthy scratch: Matt Halischuk.

Injured: C/RW Brian Rolston (high right ankle sprain); C Bobby Holik (broken right pinky); LW Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond; D Andy Greene (broken right hand).

Comments

[zman]

Good to hear they all laced em up....Tonight's game is gonna say alot about the character of this team...must be solid on both sides...Hey TG will Weekes finally get the nod tonight ?.....its paramount this guy gets action.

[Josh]

I have a feeling we don't see Weekes 'til the Edmonton game next week...

[TG]

No Weekes tonight. Brodeur again. I think Josh is right that Weekes will play that Edmonton game, but there's nothing official on that.

[njteech]

This is a solid team and should come out strong tonite...once the team starts getting healthy they will be deeper and more experienced. Thanks again TG for the place to get Devs news and insight.

[Robbie]

TG, Brookbank will be in the line up tonight right?

[Rico Suave]

i'm glad to see our kids getting some game time...bergs is a fine player, but i really would like to see more of hals. he worked an aggressive forecheck, and wouldn't letup on the puck. i hope to see more of him before we are healthy again.

[95-00-03]

Hey Robbie - try readin before you ask a question. With Andy Greene out with a broken right hand, Sheldon Brookbank will play in the third defense pair with Mike Mottau. Mottau has played primarily on the right side with the Devils, but will shift ot the left side to play with Brookbank.

[Robbie]

yeah i realized it was there after, my bad.

[crashlanding]

Skating Bergfors on the fourth line is garbage. He needs to play with skilled players.

[David]

Crash, Vrana is a skilled player and I think they might have played together in Lowell last year. Who are you going to bump down to the 4th line anyway? At least having Rupp out there will add a bit of size with them.

[mark d]

I liked seeing langebrunner back w madden-pandolfo like he was a few years ago.he's a great 2 way player and that would leave bringing bergfors to play w parise and zajac and clarkson w rupp and vrana

[Robbie]

Gio was doing good with Zajac and Parise.

[modnarm]

i agree with David that Vrana is skilled enough to center Bergfors. Thats not all that bad of a line, Rupp is a good player and will 'protect' them and be the big body making room. Im also pretty sure that Vrana and Bergfors played on the same line in the past. If they had chemistry then, it'll be interesting to see what they do tonight.

Maybe TG could clear that up for us if possible. Were Vrana and Bergfors linemates in lowel and how'd they play together if they were?

[mikeP]

i believe Vrana and Bergfors were linemates two seasons ago. Last season, while Bergfors was recovering from his shoulder injuries, Vrana centered Tallackson and Clarke

[Jeff O.]

the line combos should be:

Elias-Vrana-Gionta
Parise-Zajac-Bergfors
Pandolfo-Madden-Langenbrunner
Zubrus-Rupp-Clarkson

i agree that Vrana is skilled, but i think Bergfors would be better served on a line with two guys that have a few years of NHL experience under their belts.

[JJ]

Vrana & Bergfors played most of the 2nd half of last year together. That "4th" line should be fine if Rupp can keep up with those two.

[Jeff]

I really think with way we have played defensively Jamie would serve the team better play on the 3rd line. Just because he is wearing the C doesn't me he has to play on the the first 2 lines.

[Gunther]

I agree w. Jeff O. I like the chemistry of the Czech Connection, keeping Vrana at his natural Pivot position. Keep Zubrus out there for the size. Langs has to stay with Zajac and Parise I think.

Clarkson adds a little skill to the Mad Dog line, so work Bergfors with Rupp and Gio and roll 4 solid lines.

[JoeDevs]

Go Devils!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Robbie]

A Czech line? Havlat is a free agent. He probaly won't be signed but Elias-Vrana-Havalt sounds good to me

[Brodeur30]

Havlat would be a gamble considering his history of injuries, but if we could land him in the offseason for a reasonable price I'd be all for it. When healthy, he's a game changer...Very good speed. Very capable of 90pts if he plays all 81...IF

[Brodeur30]

meant 82*

[TG]

I think Tallackson actually played with Erik Rasmussen for the second half of last season.

[Al]

Love that fourth line, even if it's tight..I hope Coach Sutter skates them in the third. We are best when we roll four lines always.