The Devils just completed their morning skate for tonight's game against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place.
All players are present, including Zach Parise, who was excused from Monday's practice in New Jersey after playing in the all-star game in Montreal on Sunday. Parise came directly to Ottawa from Montreal rather than fly home to New Jersey for a few hours.
The line combinations were the same, which would mean Jay Pandolfo will be a healthy scratch tonight for the third game in a row. Pandolfo skated today with defensemen Sheldon Brookbank and Jay Leach, who also are expected to be scratched tonight.
Scott Clemmensen was stationed in the net the Devils will defend in the first and third periods tonight and was the first goaltender off the ice at the end of the skate-- both indications he will start tonight. He will be going for his 20th win of the season.
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The Devils' expected lineup for tonight's game.
Forwards: Zach Parise-Travis Zajac-Jamie Langenbrunner; Patrik Elias-Dainius Zubrus-Brian Gionta; Brian Rolston-John Madden-David Clarkson; Mike Rupp-Bobby Holik-Brendan Shanahan.
Defensemen: Johnny Oduya-Paul Martin; Colin White-Mike Mottau; Bryce Salvador-Andy Greene.
Goaltender: Scott Clemmensen.
Healthy scratches: D Sheldon Brookbank, D Jay Leach, LW Jay Pandolfo.
Injured: G Martin Brodeur (torn left biceps tendon).
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Ex-Devil Jason Smith is will be a heathy scratch tonight for the Senators. Brian Elliott will start in net for Ottawa.
And remember it is a 7:30 start tonight and not a 7:00 start for everyone else
Posted by: Nick | January 27, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Man oh man...will Pando ever get a shot? Ottawa is the worst team on paper we will face in the next few weeks. Someone will really have to drop off to give him a shot.
Maybe it will really make everyone step up if they know someone who is a legit players is waiting in the wings for a shot at playing again...then again maybe this is all an act for Pando to ask for a trade...
I have to wonder who would really want him however. My guess would be someone like Chicago maybe who will want someone to shut down DET and SJS's big guns...
Posted by: Sean | January 27, 2009 at 12:10 PM
Personally I like the message it sends. It doesn't matter how much you are making or what your history with the team is or previous role was, either you play well or you don't play. In the end it's the best thing for the team. Don't be surprised if he's back in there soon. It wouldn't do any good to have him riding pine for 10 games. Jay's a soldier, he'll be fine.
Posted by: JJ | January 27, 2009 at 12:26 PM
Sure that Auld is starting TG? Everyone else is reporting that Elliott will get his 6:th straight start and it would surprising if he didn't...
Posted by: Devilswede | January 27, 2009 at 01:13 PM
Sorry. Someone told me this morning it was Auld. It's Elliott. I have corrected.
Posted by: Tom Gulitti | January 27, 2009 at 03:02 PM
As a former high school classmate of Pando's, it's very shocking to see him become a healthy scratch. It's been very interesting following his journey with one of the elite teams of his time. From cracking the lineup as a rookie to his two stanley cups to his sweet goal in game 3 against his hometown bruins in 2003 to a selke nomination, he's been nothing but a class act. Watching all of NJ's games this year, he clearly is the player who I would scratch too. That said, I think his career isn't over, far from, but I am interested in seeing how he responds the next time that he's given an opportunity to play for the Devils.
Posted by: bjjua | January 27, 2009 at 04:16 PM
"Man oh man...will Pando ever get a shot?"
Uh, he was given a shot! In 45 games this season he's a lousy -8 (lowest on the team) with
a staggering 9pts which doesn't compare all that well against his record last year with only
9 more games played - 12g, 12a, 24pts & a +10 - on a MUCH weaker Devils team.
Yes I know that his ice time has decreased this season since Sutter started matching our top
lines against other teams' top lines, but that only started happening when Sutter noted that
matching our "checking line" against other teams top lines was only leading to goals against.
The +/- doesn't lie in this case - usually a weaker teammate can affect your +/- rating but
sadly in this case, Pando IS that weaker teammate this season. Look at how Madden has played
without Pandolfo: 1g, 6a in his last 5 games. To be fair, three of those games were with Pando
on his line, but did it seem to anyone else that that line only really bared down once Shanny
was signed? It's like suddenly someone lit a fire underneath them - and they did!
I hope Pandolfo can regain his form because he's making a pretty penny to warm the bench right
now, sad too because he was always a soldier for us. It just seems like he stopped caring or
simply can't keep up anymore... if this is the case, then it is time to let him go.
Posted by: kstatik | January 27, 2009 at 05:28 PM