Goaltender controversy brewing?

Devils coach Brent Sutter said he pulled Kevin Weekes after two periods because he wanted to shake up his team and because he thought his goaltender looked "shaky" in a second period in which he gave up four goals on 20 shots.

"Both,"Sutter said. "I thought at times he looked shaky tonight. It was a little bit of both on my part. I know he had lots of shots in the second, but I just thought he was fighting it. And also I felt that team needed to be shook and changed. That part isn't his fault. It's coach's decision."

Scott Clemmensen allowed one goal on 17 shots in the third period.

When I asked Sutter if he had to think about his goaltender for Friday night in Washington, he did not commit to starting Weekes again.

"I'm going to decide tomorrow what we're going to do," Sutter said. "I'll talk to the coaches and make a decision tomorrow. So we'll see."

Weekes thought Sutter's decision to pull him was based on the team's play.

"Of course it was to shake up the team," he said. "You've got to be realistic, too. (Goals on a) one-timer and rebounds, that happens. When you have guys that are that talented and the power play is clicking, unfortunately that happens from time to time. You just try to battle it as hard as you can. You've got to tip your hats to those guys, too."

Comments

[jdr30]

Two of those goals were on 5-on-3's.

Sutter needs to be more concerned with the scoring, and the almost non-existent defense displayed tonight. I do not think that the goal tending is an issue right now. If we were giving up 5 goals a night than maybe.

[Jeff]

This team is playing like they still have Marty in goal. Problem is he is not in goal and 2 goals will not win many games these days.

There was no fire tonight and I blame the Devils leadership for that. Langenbrunner continues to look horrific out there.

Parise and Zajac are the only two players that are earning it right now.

Elias looks like he is wearing out already.

Could be a long year.

[jdr30]

Langenbrunner is not "C" material IMO. Im not sure if Parise being so young is, but he is the only one right now acting like a "C" should.

Elias looks lost out there on the ice.

[CB]

90% of the team sleepwalks through the final two periods and the big shakeup is replacing the backup goalie with the third string goalie? Against the Capitals? What's the over-under on the Caps hitting double digits on Friday night?

[greyfox2]

Additional Problems include, horrible PP, Pk, resigning Salvador and Brookbank. Teams around us have become much faster and younger. To think, we replaced Gomez with Zubris. TG, I would be curious to hear your feedback. To me it just seems like there is no leadership and the players do not respect Sutter.

[Robbie]

I don't care what anyone says, we need some leadership and shake up. Now give Mr. Shanahan a pen so he can sign!

[Robbie]

Stevens should be an assistant also.

[tyler]

Stevens should lace them up.

[Pearl Jammed(RJ Arditti)]

i would like to see the team get its a$$ kicked for tonights game, they played with no heart and thats what bothers me most. This team is better than what were seeing, but to play without any emotion at all for a big divisional game like this is inexcusable. i am normally a glass half full kinda guy but i am really upset with how this game went down

[mikef]

Robbie: worst idea ever. Shanny can go to hell.

[Robbie]

I am all about staying positive,and I am sure the team wants us to but when they are playing like that it seems like why put faith in the whole team when 2 or 3 guys are putting the effort in

[titans04]

Not much of a controvery, neither one of these guys are good enough to keep the team above water for 4 months - not even remotely close.

People can fall back on the injuries but the reality is the only guy hurting the offense is Rolston, even once all the guys return this team like last years won't put up enough goals to compensate for Marty's loss. They're so far in the denial mode it's scary. Somebody wake Lou up with the stark reality that this team is flawed and unless they make some drastic changes - which Lou won't do, it's going to be a short playoff run if we're lucky enough to back in. There are way to many guys that can't put the puck in the ocean. Nice to see Vrana heading to the locker room after the game - I thought he was a last minute scratch. At this point the koolaid tastes like sh*t.

[greyfox2]

Why Zubrus didnt bury that chance in the first period is beyond me. I cannot believe we signed him to 20 million dollars and for what?? A 4th line center??

Elias and Gionta need a playmaking center. The loss of Gomez is obviously taking its toll! Lou could have brought in a #1 defenseman. Instead he resigned Brookbank an Salvador.

[Pete]

greyfox2 has a good point. We're such an old team right now and you can see how easily teams use that to their advantage. One by one, we need to let all the old players walk and starting giving the kids a real chance to prove themselves.

Won't happen though, because Loyal Lou has stopped thinking with his head over the past few years and is listening to his heart.

Hockey is a what have you done for me lately sport, and if we were to judge our own team by that standard, Elias, Zubrus, Langenbrunner and every other player who just stands there all night and then complains that the effort wasn't there should just do us all a favor and go play golf so the people who care about winning can step up.

[Pearl Jammed(RJ Arditti)]

Zubrus is THE BIG USELESSNESS.. aweful

[AK47]

It has nothing to do with goaltending,maybe next time coach want to shake things up he should change weak spots on the team. Bench players for taking stupid penalties will be first priority. Where is Devils team from 2 years ago. We averaged 2 penalties in one game now its like 5 or more.

[Orrduya]

I wouldn't mind seeing Shanny come back for the rest of the season.
We can only hope that someday Daneyko storms down from the press box, laces up, and starts showing Brookbank how to play defense. Maybe Chico will lace up and show the men how to block a slap shot from 30 feet out while they're at it.

[Speedz]

I just don't get why Langenbrunner has to keep taking penalties. He racks up the minutes like he's a goon and the team is paying for it. Good for Zajac with the goal and assist.

[FOTC]

Fra-zee!
Fra-zee!
Fra-zee!

[AK47]

Hey greyfox2,Zubrus should have scored with his chance but so and Parise with a brake away and Langs with his chance and Elias at the Detroit game. They all should have scored but like they all saying the bounces did not go our way again. It could of been 3-0 after the first.

[devils3]

it'll be a long year, but i look forward to parise and tavares running rampant on the atlantic for the next 10 years. i guess it's finally our turn to rebuild with a top pick, only we'll only do it once unlike pittsburgh who were in the toilet for about a decade.

[in lou i trust]

i'm now home from the game and now also back from my head being in the toilet.....since last year, i have been on #15, and now everyone sees it.....i really wish i was wrong....i dont know if there is enough time for him to prove me (us) wrong....he's been the way he is for awhile now.....and sutter is to blame also.....i have posted my displeasure on him too....he always gives langenbrunner a pass saying his penalties "was just jamie being competitive out there"...enough of the BS.....the coach and captain both are to blame right now, but i am hoping they both get straightened out although i can't see it....to me we have 3 big problems.....
1) SUTTER
2) LANGENBRUNNER
3) INJURIES

P.S. the effort sucked tonight and there are no excuses for that

[Amerz]

Your right In Lou I Trust Captain Hook beter get his $$$$ straightened out!!!

[TG]

Parise said his breakaway shot in the first period went off Lundqvist's left shoulder.

[shredder29]

GOD HELP US!!!! WE need a remodeling job. BRING BACK COACH BURNS!!!!!!AND TRADE LANGENBRUNNER,GIO,WHITE AND PLEASE RELEASE RUPP AND BROOKBANK AND FOCUS ON GETTING SOME SKILL.