Greene has solid return; Leach steps up

Devils defenseman Andy Greene said he exceeded his own expectations in his first game back since breaking his right hand on Oct. 29. He played 14:06 and had a plus-one defensive rating for the night. He also nearly scored a goal with a left point shot that hit the right post in the first period.

"I felt good," he said. "I felt a little better than I thought I was going to feel, to tell you the truth. I just tried to keep it simple and not get caught running around. I felt good."

Devils coach Brent Sutter was pleased with Greene's play too.

"First game back, I thought he was steady," Sutter said. "He hasn't played in quite some time. It was close to seven weeks or more. It takes a toll. There was a little bit of rust there, but I thought he did a pretty good job for his first game back."

***

Jay Leach said he felt the need to step in after Ottawa's Chris Neil flattened Colin White behind the Devils' net. The result was Leach's third fight in four games. He didn't fare well against one of the tougher fighters in the NHL, but said he was not about to back down.

"We're not just going to lay down with all those hits," Leach said. "The biggest thing is just getting involved. He's been known to fight in his career and I was fortunate to get in one with him."

How was he fortunate?

"Some of those guys, they won't fight you and I don't blame them," Leach said. "They've got nothing to gain from it. So, anytime I can kind of fight a guy like that and, hopefully, not get knocked out, it's a good night."

***

Sutter likes the way goaltender Scott Clemmensen has tightened up his game in his last two starts after having a shaky outing in the 8-5 wiwn over the Rangers on Dec. 12 and not playing great in the 3-2 shootout loss in Toronto on Tuesday. Clemmensen made 24 saves tonight.

"I think the last two games he's gotten back to just -- not that he had gotten away from it, but it seems pucks are hitting him now," Sutter said. "They're hitting him in the chest and his positioning is gotten bettter. For a game or two there, he got away from it a little bit and I think part of it was just him maybe being tired. He' played a lot of games and just not that fact, but that fact that he's in a situation he's never been in before as far as not just on the ice, but off the ice too with all the attention. And mentally that can be draining for somebody, too. I think his focus the last two games has been very good and he's gotten back to just being a very poised goaltender that makes saves and pucks are hitting him and he's under control."

***

Sheldon Brookbank on his breakaway late in the second period after he jumped out of the penalty box (for a high sticking penalty):

"I just tried taking it and driving it to the net. Looking back, I wish I would have cheated a little more out of the box. My first instinct is to go back to our zone. But I got it there and couldn't quite slip it through."

***

Defenseman Johnny Oduya's first period power-play goal was the 50th point of his NHL career and 13th this season in 30 games. Last season, he had 26 points in 75 games.

Comments

[Pearl Jammed(RJ Arditti)]

I just have to laugh at Leach's last comment... the way he has been playing in my opinion give Sutter the right to consider him to close to an everyday guy for him. A simple and positionally sound game and to have that extra physical edge to him is a nice dimension.

Great win for the team, and i am excited for Sundays game where we will have more of the same weather, but because its Chanukah we have to be on the move anyway that night, i will be getting to go to the game UNLIKE tonight :(

[Puckster]

Leach has certainly earned a spot in our top 6. Greene played well in his first game back. He's going to have to be spectacular to stay in the lineup when Salvador returns. The Devils have seven solid defensemen (and Brookbank also on the team).

[DiscordantLight]

Im excited bout how we play against Philly on Sunday, but actually, I'm REALLY excited to see how we stack up against Boston on Tuesday night when they come into our building. Boston oddly enough, will really be that measuring stick for us. If we beat Philly, n then beat Boston, I'll be extremely impressed!

[josh]

I think we should factor in the fact that not only are we doing all this winning against some of the best teams in the league, but we are doing it without Marty in net! now I know that's been mentioned plenty when we won our first couple of games, but now (as it should) it has become just a fact that Brodeur is out and not something really impressive that we are still winning.

that got a little rambley there, but the point is, like discordant said, if we beat Boston on tuesday it will be really impressive, but frankly I would have been impressed if we beat Boston WITH marty much less if we can without. if we do I will be ecstatic!

on a side note who would have ever thought the devils would have multiple forwards near the top of the league in points?! I think Elias is playing even better than his "A-Line" days and that is really saying alot. If i'm not mistaken him and Parise are on pace to get really close to being the first Devil to break 100points in a season (of course thats really getting ahead of myself but)

[Pat D'Amico]

The thing I'm most excited about is the fact that our PP is starting to click. Even before this game it began working but our PP can play every night like it did tonight then we will be good, Ottawas PK is ranked #13 so it isn't like the only reason our PP worked was because we played a shitty penalty kill.

[M.P.]

@ Puckster-

I disagree, Andy Greene was off to a great start before his injury. I think Leach will be the "odd defenseman" out due to the fact that he is the younger guy.

[pando20rules]

Leach is not a young guy MP...I believe he is 28... he's been a journeyman.

[henrikBitsPillow]

Greene is 26 Leach is 29...to me its a no-brainer so long as Andy plays strong in his own end, which he has when he's been in the lineup this year...too much upside for Greene, though Leach has done well.

[SomebodySwallows]

Greene is 26 Leach is 29, so long as Andy plays strong in his own end its a no-brainer to me...too much upside with greene though leach has done well.

[SomebodySwallows]

my bad 4 double post..

[M.P.]

I meant young with the team... I thought Andy Greene had been in our system longer, no ?

[SomebodySwallows]

yeah im pretty sure this is leach's 1st year in the organization and Greene's 3rd.

[Sean]

I've always liked the formula of a tough stay home Dman paired with a faster shooting Dman. I think as long as Leach continues to do what he is supposed to, it should be Greene and Mottau battling each other for the final shooter spot. Against maybe some teams without power forwards and more speed, I could see Mottau and Greene together. Leach should be in vs Philly regardless.
Our depth there gives us plenty of choices to give players nights off down the stretch or through periods where we play 5 games in 8 days.

[Falcone]

Was at the game last night so I got to watch the players more closely than on TV. But Andy Greene had a great game. He's a very good player. Jay Leach has played well for us, stepped up big time and plays a big but well positioned game.

However I'm afraid Leach will be our odd man out. I like Jay and his size, but got a feeling he'll be a healthy scratch once Bryce comes back.

[JJ]

Assuming there are 7 healthy D (plus Brookbank) I think Sutter will use Leach against teams with big, physical forwards and Greene vs. teams with more speed. It's a GREAT situation we are in right now.

We all know this team is great 5-on-5 but as I've said before, if the special teams can play well this team is very dangerous. With the way Elias, Gionta, Zubrus, Zajac & Langenbrunner are bouncing back from down years plus a 100% healthy Rolston at point and a more experienced Clarkson & Holik creating chaos in front there's no reason that our PP shouldn't become one of the better ones in the league in the 2nd half.

[JJ]

Sorry to repeat your point Sean, wrote & then posted B4 checking new posts.

[DH]

I know everything seems rosy when you are winning, but even so, are the Devils in the need for anything at the trade deadline? Clemmer has filled Marty's spot (temporarily), Zajac has become more physical and involved as a centerman, and the Defense has been very solid behind Salvador and Martin. They have so much depth they don't know what to do with their best FA signing, Rolston (a good problem to have). I like that Sutter is trying to work him in with Holik, and Clarkson, but he seems to fit better with Mandolfo, they are faster as a unit and have more scoring potential.

[drewbee30]

u fans are funny. A devils loss you're ready to trade everyone, a devils win its a great organization, every player is awesome, keep the team in tact. Man if this team every hits a bad stretch and it will, all teams go through cycles I can't wait to be on these boards. Lets keep the train moving!!!

[drewbee30]

man you guys are funny as fans. The Devils lose and you want the lines switched, players out, lou should go, fire sutter. They win and the organization is great, keep the lines in tact, trade no-one blah blah blah. You guys are all gonna hang yourself when this team hits a bad patch for a couple years, and it will happen all teams go through cycles. Lets keep the train moving tomorrow.

[JJ]

Agreed Drewbee30, I commented on that a few days ago about how people had given up on Elias & Gio saying their careers were basically over, and how they were calling Zubrus "Zubust", not to mention all the White bashing and Langenloser BS this year.

One point I disagree with you about is when you say the team will inevitably go through a losing cycle. If the organization is run right and they don't waste cap space on older unproductive UFA's, draft well and continue to sign good undrafted free agents like like Rafalski, Madden, Oduya, Greene, Clarkson, etc. then the team should be able to turn the lineup over and remain competitive year in year out. We see what this team can do with a goalie who couldn't get an NHL contract this year, there's no reason we can't continue to be a force even after Marty's number is hanging in the rafters.

[JJ]

Agreed Drewbee30, I commented on that a few days ago about how people had given up on Elias & Gio saying their careers were basically over, and how they were calling Zubrus "Zubust", not to mention all the White bashing and Langenloser BS this year.

One point I disagree with you about is when you say the team will inevitably go through a losing cycle. If the organization is run right and they don't waste cap space on older unproductive UFA's, draft well and continue to sign good undrafted free agents like like Rafalski, Madden, Oduya, Greene, Clarkson, etc. then the team should be able to turn the lineup over and remain competitive year in year out. We see what this team can do with a goalie who couldn't get an NHL contract this year, there's no reason we can't continue to be a force even after Marty's number is hanging in the rafters.