Scott Clemmensen will start in net tonight against the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum as the Devils wrap up a three-game road trip.
Joey MacDonald will start in net for the Islanders.
Clemmensen is coming off a 4-0 loss to the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night. The Devils have four days off after tonight's game before hosting Colorado on Thursday. That is the target for Martin Brodeur's return from a torn left biceps tendon.
I asked Clemmensen this morning if it has occurred to him that tonight's start could be his last before Brodeur comes back.
"Not really," he said. "It doesn't matter. It doesn't change anything from my perspective."
***
Defenseman Bryce Salvador did not take part in today's morning skate, but Devils coach Brent Sutter said Salvador will participate in pre-game warm-ups tonight and the decision will be made after that if he will play.
Salvador was struck in the left hand and right foot with shots on Tuesday night in Florida and then caught the flu. He was able to play through it Thursday night against Tampa Bay, though, after also sitting out the morning skate that day.
When I asked Sutter if Salvador will play tonight, he said, "I hope so. It's the same as the other night (Thursday). He'll skate in warm-ups and we'll go from there."
Defenseman Jay Leach will also take part in pre-game warm-ups tonight in case Salvador can't play.
***
The flu bug has been making its way through the team. Zach Parise also had it Thursday night and sat out the second period before returning to score the tying goal in the third period and a shootout goal in a 3-2 win. Parise said he still felt "a little dizzy" Friday and spent much of the day resting in bed, but was feeling much better today and thinks he's almost over it now.
"I still couldn't really eat anything (Friday)," he said. "I was finally able to eat something today."
***
Brodeur did not make the trip with the team and was to skate today at Prudential Center, but also was feeling ill, so he did not skate.
Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello said defenseman Paul Martin, who will miss his fourth game in a row tonight with an upper body muscle pull, did not skate today either. Martin has not been on the ice since the pre-game warm-ups for Sunday afternoon's game against San Jose.
Better that they get the flu now than later, though learning Brodeur didn't skate today concerns me a little.
Like I said earlier, the Devils can win this game without Salvador.
Posted by: Captain Cornholio | February 21, 2009 at 12:44 PM
TG, is Salmela in the lineup again tonight?
Posted by: Baggy Spandex | February 21, 2009 at 12:45 PM
It sounds like Salmela is in the lineup, since Leach is skating just-in-case and Martin is a no-go.
Posted by: JRod | February 21, 2009 at 12:50 PM
I wonder if Brodeur being sick for a few days is going to push back his return date?
Posted by: Mike O. | February 21, 2009 at 12:53 PM
I'm not liking the injury to Martin. Our defense really suffers without him in the lineup.
Posted by: Nick | February 21, 2009 at 01:03 PM
The offense might suffer, too, especially the power play.
Posted by: Captain Cornholio | February 21, 2009 at 01:07 PM
Not that it matters, but did anyone mention Washington lost last night? That means the Devils moved back into second place in the conference.
Posted by: Captain Cornholio | February 21, 2009 at 01:09 PM
TG
I must be living under a rock... I hadn't heard the diagnosis on Martin before your early post today on him having an "upper body muscle pull." Did Lou admit to this? I thought he had a bad back, but that was just speculation on my part.
Posted by: bobo | February 21, 2009 at 01:37 PM
this is a real trap game in my eyes...on the one hand, the devils(clemmer especially) will be thinking about it being the last game before marty returns, while the isles have nothing to play for....haven't for a while....were just sent a message that its over with that trade yesterday, but being professionals may come out hungry and the younger guys they have are playing for a spot next year.....i don't like the combination going into tonight.....if we take them lightly, we will leave 2 pts on the table....better come out with fire guys, you have the next 4 days off!!
Posted by: embo slice | February 21, 2009 at 01:50 PM
You'd think after all this time, they'd be able to prevent these bugs from spreading. Can't we get these guys seperate rooms? Quarantine the sick somehow? Stop sharing water bottles!
Posted by: Jason | February 21, 2009 at 01:54 PM
This constant issue with P.Martin kind of worries me. I think and hope Lou will take care of it by the TDL. We need another crazy trade to fill this hole. Maybe it just a resting time for Martin due to easy sort of speak stretch of games.
Posted by: momo from Brooklyn | February 21, 2009 at 02:04 PM
does anyone else think weekes should get the start tonight?
I haven't been impressed with Clemmer's play in the games against San Jose or the Panthers. He's not winning games for us like he used to.
Posted by: devsrule7 | February 21, 2009 at 02:12 PM
Also if anyone is going to the game, wear your white Devils jersey. The Isles are trying to save their franchise, some rep from the county is going to their game and they want to have a sell out white out.
Posted by: Nick | February 21, 2009 at 02:16 PM
hey devsrule7 I too agree Weekes should start. All the guy does is continue to win. Now that we all know that that one goal he let in last game was due to a malfunction of his glove and him as others say "not melting down" after the goal, I really don't understand why the devils don't ride him like they have with Clemmensen in net. Either way, Brodeur is comin back soon which is great and I know we all can't wait for that. This could be Clemmers last start anyway, so hopefully he makes the best of it and the devils win!
Posted by: Sammy | February 21, 2009 at 02:24 PM
There's really only 3 possibilities here for Martin: back muscle, ribcage muscle or abdominal muscle. Whatever it is it doesn't really matter because all are nagging injuries and none of them will heal 100% until the off season. We have some $$$ in the bank standings-wise so we just need him to be as close to 100% as possible for the start of the playoffs. Besides, it gives the staff a chance to look at different guys and how they pair with each other.
3-1 Pens w/7:51 left in the 2nd on a Fedotenko goal.
Posted by: JJ | February 21, 2009 at 02:25 PM
Upper arm, I believe he said.
Posted by: brule2000 | February 21, 2009 at 02:34 PM
I'm suprised Elias doesn't have it, he always seems to be th first person to get sick. (knock on wood)
Posted by: Pat D'Amico | February 21, 2009 at 02:41 PM
Really? Hadn't heard that one. That's good news then.
Posted by: JJ | February 21, 2009 at 02:44 PM
Final: Pittsburgh 5, Philadelphia 4
Posted by: Captain Cornholio | February 21, 2009 at 03:48 PM
@ Jersey Mike, when you were at the San Jose game, were you wearing a Doug Gilmour jersey?
I've been meaning to ask if that was you, and haven't been on here for a while.
Posted by: Devils Worshipper | February 21, 2009 at 04:41 PM
Captain: Where are the Devils stuck in traffic right now? Cross Bronx Expressway or the GWB?
Posted by: Salvatore from Garfield | February 21, 2009 at 04:46 PM
As far as I know, they've arrived at the Coliseum.
Posted by: Captain Cornholio | February 21, 2009 at 05:10 PM
The Devils arrived on Long Island last night and skate there this morning.
As for Martin, he's never said what part of his body it is other than upper body, but did tell me in Florida that it's a muscle pull. Also, it's a recurrance of the same injury he had earlier this season that kept him out for five games in November.
I reported that after Tuesday's game. If you look back a few days on this blog, you'll find the post about that with quotes from Martin.
Posted by: TG | February 21, 2009 at 05:44 PM