Today's practice is underway at Prudential Center.
The defense pairings and line combinations are the same as Tuesday.
Petr Vrana and Barry Tallackson are again in green jerseys as the extra forwards.
Sheldon Brookbank is still skating at right wing on the fourth line with Nicklas Bergfors and Mike Rupp.
They worked on the power play again. The two units were also the same as Tuesday. The first unit had Patrik Elias, Travis Zajac and Zach Parise up front with Jamie Langenbrunner and Anssi Salmela at the points. The second unit had Dainius Zubrus, David Clarkson and Brian Gionta at forward and Paul Martin and Johnny Oduya at the points.
They did a lot of three-on-three, down low work followed by a defensive zone positioning drill without the puck.
There is no indication yet whether Scott Clemmensen or Kevin Weekes will start Thursday night against Florida.
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Forward Brian Rolston skated on his own before practice today for the third day in a row. Rolston has not played since Oct. 16 because of a high right ankle sprain.
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Forwards: Elias-Zubrus-Gionta; Parise-Zajac-Langenbrunner; Pandolfo-Madden-Clarkson; Bergfors-Rupp-Brookbank; Vrana-Tallackson.
Defense: Salvador-Martin; White-Oduya; Salmela-Mottau.
Goaltenders: Clemmensen, Weekes.
That's good news, sounds like maybe another week before Rolston's cleared for full contact practice. Ankle sprains are tricky sometimes because they feel like they are ok then when you start skating the weak spots get exposed and they get sore so if he's going back to back days that's a real good sign.
Posted by: JJ | November 19, 2008 at 10:57 AM
This is definitely a good sign! I have a feeling when the team is healthy again in addition to Brodeur's return, will be very dangerous come playoff time. Not to mention Vrana and Salmela probably will stick with the team during the playoffs, too. I know, early to say but it's just that guy feeling I have...bright future.
Posted by: JohnnyB | November 19, 2008 at 11:17 AM
Just gotta stay in the hunt.
Posted by: JJ | November 19, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Does Sheldon Brookbank show that much more potential than Bergfors on the 4th line ?
Posted by: M.P. | November 19, 2008 at 11:18 AM
A week? That's overly optimistic IMO. High anle sprains take time. It will probably be another 3 weeks before Rolston is cleared to practice, if he is still skating without any issues at the time.
Posted by: DS | November 19, 2008 at 11:20 AM
Depends on the severity and how he's responding to treatment. Obviously it's all speculation at this point and frankly there's nothing else to talk about. It's typically a 4-6 week injury. It's been 4 weeks now, he's skating back to back days, let him do that for another week to ten days with no ill effects and hopefully get cleared to start practicing. Then a week or so of practice to get into game shape.
Posted by: JJ | November 19, 2008 at 11:26 AM
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=393247
bring him back Lou !
Posted by: Jersey Mike | November 19, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Again its good that these injuries are happening early in the year, unlike last year when Salvador was unhealthy down the stretch, Gio and Elias were banged up, Martin had the similar case of upper body soreness all in March/April.
Posted by: Steve | November 19, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Claude Lemieux is my favorite player of all time... i have to start off by saying that.... but i feel at 43 he really would only be taking ice time away from a rookie who could use the time to become a better player and a fixture for the team instead of a one shot deal which is what pepe would be. I love Lemieux but the logic of making a move like that just isn;t there. This team isn;t getting any younger and i feel its time to stop giving ice time away to guys who wont be in the league in 5 years, and start bringing along the younger guys. This is also why i disagree with those who say bring shanny aboard we need to get some of the younger guys a little more ice time just so they can adjust to the speed of the NHL. brining in 2 guys who are over 40 does us no good for the future
Posted by: Pearl Jammed(RJ Arditti) | November 19, 2008 at 12:26 PM
RJ your right but it would be nice to see Pepe in Red and Black one more time.
Posted by: Jersey Mike | November 19, 2008 at 12:42 PM
Being 41 myself, I have to say theres nothing wrong with Lemieux playing at 43 if he's in excellent physical shape. I think we could still use him on our team. He was always the good luck charm for us in the playoffs.
Posted by: MoonDragn | November 19, 2008 at 01:07 PM
How about a line of Pepe-Holik-Shanny?
Posted by: Jack | November 19, 2008 at 05:10 PM
maybe a third tenure with the Devils can help Pepe get him his 3rd cup with the Devils
Posted by: Pando20Rules | November 19, 2008 at 06:08 PM
What the hell, Cheli is still going.
Posted by: Shari | November 19, 2008 at 06:29 PM