Madden sore; Big nights for Weekes, Salvador, Tallackson

Devils coach Brent Sutter said he found out about a half hour before pre-game warm-ups that center John Madden would not be able to play in tonight's win over the Islanders because of left foot injury.

Madden was struck in the left foot with a shot in the second period of Thursday's win over Florida, but was able to finish the game.

"He's sore, but we'll just monitor it day to day," Sutter said,

Sutter said he expects Madden to accomany the team to Tampa Bay for Sunday's game, which kicks off a five-game road trip.

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After tonight's game, the Devils will be away from Prudential Center for 18 days while on their road trip. That will be their longest stretch between home games (in one season) in team history, not counting Olympic breaks. TheDevils did not play any home games for the first 23 days of their 2007-08 season (Oct. 4-26), though..

The previous high was 17 days, from March 6 to March 22, 1999.

 

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Although it's not close to Patrick Roy's record of 551 wins, which Martin Brodeur was closing in on before he was injured, Kevin Weekes appreciated the significance of earning his 100th NHL win tonight,

 

"I' play with a guy who gets some type of record or milestone pretty much every game or every two games," said Weekes, who has a career record of 100-161-39. "But the more you play and the longer you're around, the more of these things you tend to get. So, that's one thing.

 

"Growing up as a kid in Toronto, you just aspire to be a goalie in the NHL. You never have any set goals in terms of these type of accomplishments. I just wanted to make the league and get there. So it means a lot to me obviously."

 

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Bryce Salvador's goal in the second period was his first regular season goal as a Devil. He also scored one in Game 5 of the playoffs against the Rangers last season.

 

His goal tonight came on a shot from the left point that went in off the left skate of the Islanders' Chris Campoli in front.

 

"It was a long time coming," said Salvador, who hadn't scored a regular season goal since Oct. 17, 2007 with St. Louis.

 

The Devils got two goals from their defense tonight (Paul Martin scored a 5-on-3 goal) and have three from defensemen in the last two games.after getting two from their defense in their first 17 games,

 

"The defense as a corps, we've just been trying to get pucks on the net and we're getting rewarded the whole group of us," Salvador said. "(Martin) also got one tonight. Johnny (Oduya's) shot on net got deflected in (by David Clarkson)."

 

Salvador also fared well in his fight with Tim Jackman in the closing seconds of the second period, opening a cut under Jackman's right eye with a right uppercut and some overhand rights.

 

***

 

The Devils ended a streak in which they had given up at least one power-play goal in five games by holding the Islanders scoreless in three power plays tonight, including two in the first period when the game was still 0-0. Ironically, they did it without Madden in the lineup.

 

They also scored two power-play goals in one game for the first time this season.

 

***

Right wing Barry Tallackson played only seven shifts for 4:14 in ice time in his first NHL game since his Sept. 26 heart surgery, but still enjoyed it.

 

"It feels good to get out there and get my legs moving and some body contact," he said. "So, it was good, felt good."

 

Tallackson admitted the best part was getting a shift on the power play in the final minute of the game. Sutter put the fourth line of Tallackson, Petr Vrana and Sheldon Brookbank out with the Devils leading 5-2 and the game well in hand.

 

"I was pretty excited out there, just flying around and trying to get the opportunity to score a goal," he said. "It was pretty fun."

 

 

 

Comments

[Craigwelll]

Nice milestone for a 1st class individual. Congrats Weeksie

[johnny]

what a guy..

[Falcone]

I'm glad we won, having a game like last night and the FLA game are a huge boost for our confidence, which is exactly what we need. I hope Gio and Elias have begun to find their touch. I know Zub is playing well with them right now, but I can't wait for Rollie to get back out there on that line. If the 3 of them start to play on all cylinders they'll be a great line.

Great job Weeksie. Congrats on the 100 wins.

Great job to Bryce as well. I thought they would have tried to get him an assist, but I'm sure he's cool with the goal and the fight.

We've been playing well over the last few games hopefully it'll transpire when we play some of the better teams in the league.

[JJ]

Once again, the specialty teams are the difference. 5-2 win; if we don't score 2 on PP and we give up 1 shorthanded the score is tied 3-3 going into OT and maybe we lose.

Finally the team plays a full 60 minutes the right way. Now let's see if this is just a result of playing against poor competition or if the team is really beginning to gel after all of the injuries. Hopefully it's the latter.

[Guy]

Does anyone know the answer yet as to why the Devils consistently play sloppy lackadasical hockey in the 2nd period?

[AK47]

Special teams was always a weak spot of the Devils. 5 on 5 we have almost the best record in NHL. Doesn't matter who is in the net, if we score a few PP gaols and not giving up any, not to mention to score a shorty, we are going to be just fine.Great game.

[Kellyn]

Congratulations, Weekesie! It really couldn't have happened to a more deserving guy. I especially loved when the team went out to congratulate him after the game was over and Patrik Elias jumped on him and gave him a huge bear hug. It's nice to see how they've really solidified as a team and have stayed close even though times have been tough for them (to say the least).

And I really hope it is nothing more than a sore foot and that Madden gets well soon, though the fact that he missed last night's game is slightly worrying. As someone pointed out in a comment to a different post, this is the same dude who took a skate the face and returned to the game three shifts later with a face full of stitches and a snarl (they don't call him Mad Dog for nothing). You gotta think he must really be hurting to sit out. Hopefully they are just being cautious and he'll be back in time for Sunday's game against Tampa Bay. They could use his help to shut down Lecavalier like he did the last time they played the Lightning. I read an article after that game in which an obviously pissed Vinny Lecavalier, who was kept off the scoreboard, was quoted as saying that the Devils played a boring style of shut down hockey. It would be nice if the Madden and the Devils could give Vinny what should by now be that familiar feeling of frustration on Sunday.

And seing Pandolfo out there without Madden is just bizarre. I mean, they've been together on the third line for like, what, a decade now?