Live blog: Devils up lead to 3-0 in third
Paul Martin and Brian Gionta scored 1:02 apart in the third period to up the Devils' lead to 3-0 over the Florida Panthers.
Patrik Elias scored 6:47 into the second period to give the Devils the lead.
Elias' goal was the Devils' only shot of the second period. The Panthers had eight on Scott Clemmensen.
Clemmensen appeared to get a little lucky on Michael Frolik's shot from the bottom of the left circle with 3:34 left in the period. The puck appeared to go off Clemmensen's blocker and the left post before going wide.
There was one shift where Zach Parise, Jamie Langenbrunner and Paul Martin all passed up on open shots to try to pass the puck. The one shot in the period tied for the second fewest for the Devils in one period, something they've done eight times -- the most recent was on Nov. 24 of last season against Tampa Bay. They were once held without a shot in the third period of a 2-2 tie with Boston on Jan. 7, 1983.
That was Elias' fourth goal in the last three games and eighth of the season.
The goal came after some good work down low in the in the right corner by Brian Gionta and Dainius Zubrus. Gionta made a good pass in front to Elias, who calmly made a forehand face, before putting a backhand around Tomas Vokoun's left pad. Greg Campbell lost track of Elias in front.
That was the Devils' first shot of the period and they still have only one shot in the period with 8:36 remaining.
Scott Clemmensen made a big left pad save on David Booth in front at 8:45.
It looks like Jassen Cullimore injured his right leg/knee when teammate Stephen Weiss fell on him with 6:36 left in the second period. Cullimore didn't put any weight on his right leg as he was helped off the ice.
John Madden took a puck off the left foot at 6:05 of the second. Florida's Nick Boynton appeared to be passing and not shooting, but Madden still went down after the puck hit his foot and then limped a little bit when he skated afterward.
I don't know if you can read anything into it, but there are more scouts here tonight than usual. There are 14 different teams represented.
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The Devils outshot the Panthers, 12-5 in the first period.
John Madden appeared to be hit in the face with the puck while sitting on the bench 2:05 into the game. He didn't leave the bench, but had his helmet off for a minute while trainer Richard Stinziano looked at him.
He didn't miss a shift, so he must not have been cut. Maybe the puck hit his visor.
The Panthers registered their first shot of the game at 10:04. It looks like his shot deflected off Jassen Cullimore's hand.
The Devils' power play looked OK, but didn't score again. Dainius Zubrus backhanded a rebound just wide left at 9:07.
Scott Clemmensen's best save of the period was a glove save on Brett McLean's shorthanded chance from the left circle with 2:26 left in the period.
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The starting lineups for tonight's game between the Devils and Florida Panthers at Prudential Center.
DEVILS
Forwards: Jay Pandolfo-John Madden-David Clarkson. Defense: Bryce Salvador-Paul Martin. Goaltender. Scott Clemmensen.
FLORIDA PANTHERS
Forwards: David Booth-Stephen Weiss-Richard Zednik. Defense:Karlis Skrastins-Jay Bouwmeester. Goaltender: Tomas Vokoun.
There do not appear to be many people here tonight. Maybe there will be some late arrivals.
***
Here is the Devils' lineup for tonight's game against the Florida Panthers at Prudential Center.
I'll post the starters for both teams as soon as I get them.
Forwards: Zach Parise-Travis Zajac-Jamie Langenbrunner; Patrik Elias-Dainius Zubrus-Brian Gionta; Jay Pandolfo-John Madden-David Clarkson; Nicklas Bergfors-Mike Rupp-Sheldon Brookbank.
Defense: Bryce Salvador-Paul Martin; Colin White-Johnny Oduya; Anssi Salmela-Mike Mottau.
Goaltender: Scott Clemmensen.
Healthy scratch: C Petr Vrana.
Injured: G Martin Brodeur (torn left biceps tendon); C/RW Brian Rolston (high right ankle sprain); C Bobby Holik (broken right pinky); D Andy Greene (broken right hand).
Tallackson is not considered a healthy scratch?
Posted by: JP | November 20, 2008 at 05:39 PM
TG, is it fair to assume that Leblond has recovered from his injury now that he's been reassigned to Lowell?
Posted by: Puckster | November 20, 2008 at 05:42 PM
I'm going to night so please don't disappoint me boys. :P
Posted by: ZuljinRaynor | November 20, 2008 at 05:43 PM
Honestly, how is Nicklas Bergfors supposed to help when he's on the 4th line with Rupp and Brookbank? He's an offensive player, put him with Zach and Travis! It's not like Jamie helps them at all. Jamie can play with Madden and Pandolfo and Clarkson can play on the 4th line where he belongs! It's not rocket science.
Posted by: Pete | November 20, 2008 at 05:45 PM
when all the offense is healthy id like to see
elias-zubrus-rolston
parise-zajac-gionta
pandolfo-madden-langenbrunner
rupp-holik-clarkson
Posted by: DP | November 20, 2008 at 05:56 PM
Pete has the right idea, I would also like to see Vrana given more of a chance.
Posted by: Mike in Idaho | November 20, 2008 at 06:07 PM
Yes, Leblond is recovered. You are not allowed to send an injured player to the minors.
Posted by: TG | November 20, 2008 at 06:19 PM
TG, what does Burt have against Vrana?
Posted by: Bill | November 20, 2008 at 06:24 PM
Who's Burt?
Posted by: TG | November 20, 2008 at 06:34 PM
Maybe if no1 wants either Khab or Huet Chicago will be forced to put one of them on waivers and we could snag one for a discount price! that would be nice.
Posted by: modnarm | November 20, 2008 at 06:34 PM
I think Burt=Brent Sutter. Just a guess
Posted by: Robbie | November 20, 2008 at 06:47 PM
Burt/Brent doesn't like it when players don't play well in the defensive zone.
Posted by: TG | November 20, 2008 at 06:56 PM
Burt....LOL
Posted by: Amerz | November 20, 2008 at 06:57 PM
i dont know Burt personally, but I think he likes Ernie more than Vrana
Posted by: embo slice | November 20, 2008 at 06:58 PM
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Posted by: TG | November 20, 2008 at 07:02 PM
I'm only making one prediction for this game. Some fans on this blog will suggest trading our entire team, all our draft picks and the Prudential Center for Bouwmeester.
Posted by: Puckster | November 20, 2008 at 07:06 PM
You Guys are killing Me LOL.
Posted by: Shari | November 20, 2008 at 07:09 PM
Vrana's play would be better if:
a) He received time at his natural position -center
b) He was given either pp or consistant ice time.
The question to ask is why does Sutter have a mancrush with Zubrus?
Zubrus failed as a center last year and he is failing this year. Zubrus is a 3rd/th line 40 point winger.
I'd much rather see Vrana and Bergsfor get a chance at the expense of the Rupp, Zubrus and even at a slight reduction of minutes for both Madden and Pandiolfo.
This team needs more offense and we are not going to produce that by going back to the same suspects as last season. (See Zubrus)
Early call - If Gionta does not catch fire, Lou will ship him west before the deadline.
Posted by: Steve | November 20, 2008 at 07:11 PM
Yeah, I'm thinking Marty has a bad elbow so Let's trade him.
Posted by: Shari | November 20, 2008 at 07:13 PM
Thats one of the funniest things ive read for a while.
Posted by: Brett C | November 20, 2008 at 07:13 PM
Where was the hook on Bergfors?
Posted by: Steve | November 20, 2008 at 07:16 PM
Who gets the pp goal? I am gonna go out on a limb and say Parise.
Posted by: Steve | November 20, 2008 at 07:18 PM
I'm confused, is he Meester, Myster, or Mister? cuz Doc & Chico have called him all 3 so far.
Posted by: Shari | November 20, 2008 at 07:20 PM
Is it me or are the Devils finally playing three guys low on the pp?
Posted by: Steve | November 20, 2008 at 07:22 PM
It's not you, lots of shots so far. down low on the pp what a concept.
Posted by: Shari | November 20, 2008 at 07:25 PM