The Devils are holding only an optional morning skate today after having a full practice late Wednesday afternoon.
Johnny Oduya, Brendan Shanahan, Scott Clemmensen, Martin Brodeur, Jay Pandolfo and Anssi Salmela are the only players participating.
Defenseman Bryce Salvador is not skating again after missing Wednesday's practice and it appears he won't play tonight. He was struck in the left hand and right foot in Tuesday's loss in Florida.
Oduya skipped Wednesday's practice because he was resting. It looks like Shanahan will play tonight after missing the last two games with a bruised right foot.
With Kevin Weekes not skating, that seems to confirm that he is starting tonight.
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Former Devil Dave Andreychuk, who still works for the Lightning, watched the Tampa Bay skate from the stands.
I got a strange feeling Elias is gonna come out of this mini funk he has been in....Looking forward to seeing Anssi lace em up tonight. Lets Go Devils
Posted by: zman | February 19, 2009 at 11:13 AM
Elmira in the ECHL didn't have a bus crash all that long ago, either. The guys who drive these teams in the middle of the night don't have it easy. I'm just glad this doesn't happen more often.
Posted by: Captain Cornholio | February 19, 2009 at 11:21 AM
Jeez, that is some scary stuff. Hope they all get better soon.
Hopefully the Devils can get out of this mini 1 game funk they are in.
Glad to see Salmela get a shot tonight.
I wonder if Pando comes out for Shanny or if Rupper is the one who sits?
Posted by: Kevin | February 19, 2009 at 11:44 AM
Thats kind of strange... If Leach or Greene was coming out of the lineup, you would usually see them practicing too. So it sounds like maybe Salmela won't get to play after all.
Posted by: MoonDragn | February 19, 2009 at 11:47 AM
Oh wait never mind I missed the part about Salvador not playing. So he will be in afterall.
Posted by: MoonDragn | February 19, 2009 at 11:50 AM
MoonDragn:
If Salvador isn't playing tonight, we need Leach, Greene and Salmela to play.
Posted by: frankied | February 19, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Why not scratch Greene anyway and go with 5 d-men instead?! We'd be better off that way so...
Posted by: Devilswede | February 19, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Tampa Bay has a fairly gritty team and some big bodies on D. I'd probably take Pando out in favor of Shanahan and leave Mike Rupp in. Especially if Koci plays tonight.
Posted by: Neil S | February 19, 2009 at 11:57 AM
i do not like the salvador information...last time i saw someone shake his hand like that was holik after having his finger snapped by the capitals.
Posted by: Rico Suave | February 19, 2009 at 11:59 AM
I still can't believe that we got Salvador for CamJan.. Most lopsided trade EVER
Posted by: Rob | February 19, 2009 at 12:00 PM
we really need big nights from oduya, mottau and white tonight. thats our top three now?
WOW, lou we need help back here.
we have a big weakness back there. The offence really needs to step up here.
Posted by: Lucas S | February 19, 2009 at 12:09 PM
Rupp is playing.
Posted by: Daveh | February 19, 2009 at 12:10 PM
Rob: Salvador was an unrestricted free agent this past offseason. Any team could have had him.
Posted by: frankied | February 19, 2009 at 12:11 PM
Cause Greeners is better than Leach Swede, if anyone comes out it would be Leach first.
One can argue that Greene is better than Salvador too, just not as physical.
Posted by: MoonDragn | February 19, 2009 at 12:21 PM
true...
Posted by: Rob | February 19, 2009 at 12:23 PM
I for one would not argue that greene is better then salvador.
Posted by: Lucas S | February 19, 2009 at 12:25 PM
greene better than salvador? moondragn, before everyone calls you crazy could you please ellaborate on your argumentt? thanks.
Posted by: Rico Suave | February 19, 2009 at 12:33 PM
what does greene do well exactly??
Posted by: HF | February 19, 2009 at 12:35 PM
moondragn can you send me some of what you are smoking I want to see the superstar Greene play too
Posted by: Jeff | February 19, 2009 at 01:25 PM
what does greene do well exactly??
Posted by: HF | February 19, 2009 at 12:35 PM
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Turn over the puck and bad passes.
Posted by: Elias26 | February 19, 2009 at 03:19 PM