Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur has faced enough shots over the last month that he decided to take this morning off to get ready for his return tonight against the Colorado Avalanche at Prudential Center. It will be Brodeur's first game since he tore his left biceps tendon on Nov. 1 against Atlanta.
"I've seen a lot of the same shots," he said. "I just wanted to have a clear head and come in fresh tonight."
Brodeur said he's not nervous, yet.
"I will get there, though," he said. "Just with the preparation of my day as I get back tonight for the game, I'm sure I'll get excited about it. I'm definitely excited now, but nervous-wise, the butterflies, I'll probably get when I get to the rink tonight."
Only nine players are on the ice this morning: David Clarkson, Mike Rupp, Bobby Holik, Brendan Shanahan, Jay Pandolfo, Jay Leach, Johnny Oduya, Andy Greene and goaltender Kevin Weekes.
Devils coach Brent Sutter said that defenseman Paul Martin will make his return tonight after missing the last four games with an upper body muscle pull.
Pandolfo will play tonight and Rupp will be a healthy scratch.
Leach will be the healthy scratch on defense.
Woohoo, first!
Excited about tonight. Can't wait to see Marty back. :)
Posted by: kstatik | February 26, 2009 at 10:49 AM
Ah Sprites' shares of stock will in price rise once again.
Posted by: Mikedeadworks | February 26, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Has Pando perhaps agreed to a trade and is being showcased before the deadline?
Posted by: Randy | February 26, 2009 at 10:57 AM
you may be right Randy
Posted by: HF | February 26, 2009 at 10:59 AM
A full, healthy lineup? What's that???
Posted by: Rob | February 26, 2009 at 11:05 AM
does the ATDHE still working? i cant see no schedule for tonight :(
Posted by: fan from czech | February 26, 2009 at 11:07 AM
the second coming has arrived
Posted by: shahjige | February 26, 2009 at 11:11 AM
RUPPAMANIA IS GONNA BE MAD... I hope this is a set up for a trade, but who would want pando and that contract. It must have more to do with Lanche not having a tough lineup where Rupp is needed, but he plays very well with Holik and Shanny.
Burke has come out and said what he wants for his Dmen, 1st round pick, a solid NHL player now and a top prospect. Perhaps more. If this is what he wants for them I can only imagine what Pronger, Neids, Bouwmeester are going for. I guess they will not be Devils oh well, Shanny and Marty for free is well enough
Posted by: nnjrules | February 26, 2009 at 11:12 AM
very curious about Pando... maybe he is being showcased.. i mean this is the time to do it..
Posted by: mikeschoenf | February 26, 2009 at 11:15 AM
atdhe.netis showing alot of basketball..no games were on last night the same tonight hockey is not on the list
Posted by: brenda | February 26, 2009 at 11:22 AM
so i am screwed? i was looking forward to see MB back in action. so i ll try justin.tv
Posted by: fan from czech | February 26, 2009 at 11:26 AM
Brodeur is back!!!
For his sake, I hope Pando is traded. He could help another team instead of being a healty scratch most nights here.
Posted by: Mark P. | February 26, 2009 at 11:33 AM
Rupp made a bad play against NYI letting them score the second goal the other night. Maybe Sutter is trying to punish him. Its ok. Pandolfo won't do anything
Posted by: jdr30 | February 26, 2009 at 11:37 AM
that was all on Holik that play, hockey 101, never pass the puck across your net with the other team in your zone. Holik owns that one. I dont mind pando playing but he is such a bad match on that line, we might as well play 3 lines
Posted by: nnjrules | February 26, 2009 at 11:40 AM
Why does a guy like Pandolfo need to be showcased? It's not like people in the league don't know what kind of a player he is and what he can do. Rupp hasn't been very good lately and Pando is getting a chance to play. No need to start the trade talk already.
Posted by: Devilswede | February 26, 2009 at 11:40 AM
TG I was looking in the Record and the McGlovin reference... so nice.
Posted by: Christian T. | February 26, 2009 at 11:46 AM
Pando plays better in front of Marty anyway. It was a good choice.
Posted by: MoonDragn | February 26, 2009 at 12:07 PM
Benching Rupp is NEVER the right choice. There is no need to comment on this nonsensical decision any further.
Posted by: Ruppamania | February 26, 2009 at 03:35 PM