It's official: Clemmensen will start; Rolston ready to go, activated from IR

Devils coach Brent Sutter won't talk to the media until late this afternoon, but confirmed to me this morning that Scott Clemmensen will start in net again in tonight's game against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wachovia Center.

That's four consecutive starts for Clemmensen and seven in the last eight games. He had his personal four-game winning streak -- and the team's five-game winning streak -- snapped in Saturday's 4-1 loss in Pittsburgh.

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Forward Brian Rolston was acitivated from injured reserve today and said he is ready to make his return from a high right ankle sprain tonight after being sidelined for the last 18 games. It was seven weeks ago today that he was injured in the third period of a 1-0 victory in Atlanta.

Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby had one false start during his comeback from a high ankle sprain last season -- he returned for three games initially and then missed eight more -- but Rolston is confident that his ankle is healed.

"There were a lot of times throughout this whole process where I was like, 'I'm ready to come back' and we played it really patient and I'm very confident at this point," Rolston said. "I've been practicing the last few days, going hard, doing physical things. So I feel confident that I'm ready to play."

Although today's morning skate was optional and Devils coach Brent Sutter did not tell Rolston he had to skate, he wanted to anyway in his continuing effort to shake off the rust that built up over his long layoff.

"He told certain guys to go out. He didn't tell me to go out, but I wanted to come out just to feel the puck after being off for two months," he said. "I'm a guy that enjoys his optionals. I don't enjoy going out in midseason, but it's good for me to feel the puck, get the feel back. It takes time. But, I've been feeling pretty good. I just have to go out and work hard and get back into that game shape."

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Center Bobby Holik was the last player off the ice at the end of the optional skate., In fact, he stayed after everyone else left to ride on the stationary bike.

Holik said his fractured right pinky, which has kept him out since Oct. 18, is "100 percent" now and is ready to play whenever Sutter gives him the go-ahead.

"I'm not in the lineup (tonight) because that's the coach's decision," Holik said. "They must think I need more time to get ready and that's fine with me. I'm ready whenever they think I'm ready."

It appears Holik might make his return on Saturday night in Montreal. When I asked him if he was going to join the team for the flight Friday to Montreal, he said. "I would imagine so if I'm here (in Philadelphia)."

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Devils GM Lou Lamoriello said today that defenseman Andy Greene, who is recovering from a broken right hand, has been shooting and handling the puck, but still has not been cleared to practice with the team.

***

The Devils' lineup and expected line combinations and defense pairings for tonight's game.

Forwards: Zach Parise-Travis Zajac-Jamie Langenbrunner; Patrik Elias-Dainius Zubrus-Brian Gionta; Jay Pandolfo-John Madden-David Clarkson; Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond-Mike Rupp-Brian Rolston.

Defensemen: Bryce Salvador-Paul Martin; Colin White-Johnny Oduya; Jay Leach-Mike Mottau.

Goaltender: Scott Clemmensen.

Injured: G Martin Brodeur (torn left biceps tendon), C Bobby Holik (broken right pinky), D Andy Greene (broken right hand).

Healthy scratches: D Sheldon Brookbank, RW Barry Tallackson.

Comments

[Sean]

Any idea what line Rolston is playing tonight?

[JJ]

You can bet wherever he plays he's not getting a lot of minutes. I'm thinking 4th line duties + PP so he can get back into the swing. It's not easy coming back from a long injury like that. Takes a couple weeks to really get your wind.

[Tom Gulitti]

Nobody else who is playing tonight skated this morning, but Rolston skated again yesterday with Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond and Mike Rupp on the fourth line. Rolston was the right wing. Rupp was the center.

I'll add the expected lineup and line combinations to this post.

[Falcone]

I hope he'll play in place of Langs and move Langs down to Madden's line and move Clarkie down to the 4th line.

Glad to see Brian's back. Hopefully he's got his game legs under him from the start.

TG- How's Weeksie during all this. he was back up to Marty and now it seems he's back up to Clemmer. Is he handling it ok?

[Tom Gulitti]

Kevin is handling it like a professional. I spoke to him this morning, but only casual talk, nothing about him not playing. How many times can you ask a guy about not playing?

I don't think he's excited about not playing, but he's trying not to let any disappointment show.

[Jeff]

I'm guessing that when Marty gets back Weeksie becomes part of a deadline deal and Clemmer stays as backup and get signed to an extension for next season at least until Frazee is ready.

[mikeschoenf]

Tom,

I'm interested to hear your opinion on Avery.. Do you think what he did this time was nearly as terrible as what he has done in the past? If the stars dont want him what do you think could happen?

[mikeK]

I think holding out Holik for this one is probably wise. We've got the bodies on the 4th line to deal with them. I think Leblond was bought up with this game in mind. I imagine Leblond being a scratch or getting sent down after this one so Holik can come off the IR and get back to playing.

[Pearl Jammed]

I think Avery was foolish, but this suspension was even more foolish. Sad that he can be such an effective player at times, and yet be such a distraction that his current team doesn't even want to hear his apology. Really must speak to his charecter

[TG]

I'll have more on the Avery incident in my column in Saturday's paper, but, though I think I understand why he was suspended for Tuesday's game to prevent it from becoming a circus, I'm not sure saying something stupid like that (and offensive) warrants a long suspension.

We'll have to wait to see what the suspension is first. There might be something later today. Avery's hearing with Bettman today is over already.

[mikeschoenf]

It seems like none of his teams ever really wanted him.. i cant beleive he got that contract and now what!?

[Pearl Jammed]

I agree TG, i think thats the only reason why his suspension was so quick, so as to avoid a bigger controversy during the game when Avery refuses to drop his gloves and someone does something stupid.

[Umero]

I am extremely interested in seeing what Sutter does with the line up once he can no longer hold rolston back on the fourth line. We all know the best line the devils have right now is the Elias Zubrus Gionta line, and he does not want to break them apart anytime soon. The ZZ Pop line has contributed the most points through the entire season, but lately haven't been in the mix as much. I don't think it is time to take them apart, but if the Zubrus line continues to play as they have the previous 5 games (excluding the Pitt domination)then Sutter would absolutely need to get over his man crush for jamie langenbrunner and put him on the checking line with pando and madden. Langs works well with the young guys, but he isnt nearly as gifted as rolston and you cant waste rolston with rupp or even maddens line for an extended period of time. Langenbrunner isn't a top 6 forward on any elite team anyway and that's what the devils are trying to be. His solid defense and gritty play would be perfect for the checking line and rolston's shot could lead to a ton of rebound goals for parise.

[mikeP]

when Marty gets back, no matter how well Clemmenson plays, I could definitely see him get assigned to Lowell, and Weekes remain as backup. The reason is, if Marty does get injured soon after he returns, and you traded away Weekes, who will backup Clemmenson? Frazee- I don't think so.

When you see that Salmela was sent down even after getting praised by Sutter, you would see my theory about Clemmer to the AHL isn't so far fetched.

As for Avery, I don't see how he would get a long suspension simply for what he said. You could blame Brett Hull for that, they are good friends from playing together in detroit, and he thought he could control avery. The Stars already had Morrow and Ott as pests, there was no need for them to sign him.

[panz]

very well said umero......its nice to see that alot of people realize that sutter is in love with langenloser the man...not langenloser the player.

[TG]

The Devils activated Roslton from injured reserve today, something they needed to do for him to play tonight.

[Sohl]

after holik comes back put rolston in zubs spot. ya theyve been doing well together for the most part recently, but zubs isnt consistant. he'll cool off eventually. when holik comes back zubs will get some production out of him and rupp too if zubs is still hot by then

[Puckster]

I agree that with Umero that if the Zubrus/Gio/Elias line keeps clicking then once Rolston is ready for a full game's worth of ice time he should be put on the line with Zajac/Parise and Langenbrunner to Madden/Pando line.

[Brodeur30]

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/hockey/stars/stories/120408dnspostarsbriefs.30ef702.html

I wouldn't be surprised if the Stars just tell Avery to go home and continue to pay him while he watches the games. What a stupid cancer. Nice signing Hully...Tippett is basically saying he doesn't want him in the dressing room anymore..

[Brodeur30]

I don't think any team is stupid enough to trade for him with that contract...

[Andrew]

I think Sutter will juggle the lines after the first, if nothing is happening. If Rolston is in the lineup, he might as well play. Why would he be put on the fourth line? If anything that will be more physical and full of hitting. I was hoping they dropped Clarkie down and put Rolly with Madden and Pando.

[Salvatore from Garfield]

I really feel for weekes. :-(