Searching for the right combinations

As I posted earlier, Devils coach Brent Sutter tinkered with his line combinations again during today's practice.

After splitting them up again during Thursday's win over Colorado, Sutter put Dainius Zubrus back at center between Patrik Elias and Brian Gionta. But he also put Brian Rolston at center between Brendan Shanahan and David Clarkson.

Rolston said it's his "understanding" that he will at least begin Saturday's game against Florida at center on that line. It will the first time he played center in a game since Oct. 16 in Atlanta -- the game in which he suffered a high right ankle sprain. Sutter actually shifted Rolston to wing in that game before he was injured.

"I just think that he's been shuffling the lines a little bit lately," Rolston said. "He's trying to find certain things and I'm comfortable with it. Like I said from the beginning, it doesn't matter where I am."

Only four of Rolston's 11 goals this season have been scored at even strength, so it's clear that Sutter is trying to get more offense out of him and Shanahan, who has no goals in his last nine games after scoring three in his first five games with the team.

"I think we have to get back to some more balanced scoring," Rolston said. "Obviously, our top line has carried most of the offense and they're going to continue scoring. There's no question about that. They're a great line, but we have to get scoring from other lines and I think it will be there because we have too many skilled guys that will score."

(To right: Zubrus, who has one goal in his last 18 games, at today's practice).

Sutter mentioned he might still move Rolston back to left wing on a line with Elias at center and Gionta at right wing. Then, Zubrus would move back between Shanahan and Clarkson, who he played with in the third period on Thursday.

"With Rollie, he can play center between Shanny and Clarkie or Zubes can play center with Shanny and Clarkie and Rollie moves up and plays with Gio and Patty," Sutter said. "It's going to be a little bit of a feeling out process over the next little bit here. I'm not taking anything away from what the group has established or what they've done. I just want to make sure everyone's play is up to standards here moving forward in the last 21 games of the season and that's the accountability I have to put on them."

One line combination that Sutter put together during Thursday's game will stay together for Saturday's game. That was John Madden at center between Jay Pandolfo and Bobby Holik. Madden is technically the center, but both he and Holik said they switched off in the middle depending on the circumstances -- location of face-offs, positioning in offensive and defensive zone, etc.

"I liked Bobby on right wing last night," Sutter said.

Sutter also reiterated that he though Pandolfo played "very well" on Thursday. He'll play again Saturday and Mike Rupp will be a healthy scratch again -- as will defenseman Jay Leach.

The Zach Parise-Travis Zajac-Jamie Langenrbunner line, which accounted for three goals and five assists Thursday will stay together. It's the other two lines -- Elias-Zubrus-Gionta and Shanahan-Rolston-Clarkson -- where Sutter might do some shuffling Saturday.

"A lot depends on how Zubes is playing and how that line is playing." Sutter said. "That can have some bearing on whether anything is changed or not."

Elias said he has no problem with switching back and forth from left wing to center during games, which has happened three times in the last four contests.

"I don't mind that," he said. "We have to create more offense from lines other than just from Travis' line. We could have some games when those guys could have a checking line on them and then the other guys have to step it up once in a while. I don't mind that."

Zubrus has one goal in his last 18 games. Elias has no even-strength goals (but two on the power play) over his last 12 games. Gionta has three goals in his last 24 games.

Elias believes the only thing missing from the line is "just the finish. That's all"

"We're getting a lot of chances," he said. "It's just the finish. You just have to stay with it and practice shooting and scoring. Try to score every time you have a chance in a game and just try to stay with it because as long as you're getting chances, they're going to start going in."

***

After scoring a power-play goal Thursday, Elias is now only nine points away from breaking John MacLean's team record of 701 career points. He said he's not close enough to start thinking about the record.

"It will be close enough when I get there," he said.

Comments

[cg]

Good to hear Sutter praise Pando. I thought he played well, also. Thanks again for all your hard work TG- Love the blog!

[Henrik L]

I think we all expected more from Dainius Zubrus. I also realized that he is extremely overpaid, compared to what we get out of him. I say trade him for a center who can score goals!

[Henrik L]

TG any thoughts on that? Do you get a feeling that might be happening, since Sutter obviously is disappointed in Zubrus' lack of scoring goals...?

[TG]

I don't think you'll find anyone to take his contract unless that team is looking to unload a bad, long-term contract too.

That said, I think Zubrus still has a purpose on this team with his size and strength and his ability to play well defensively against top lines. He was one of the Devils' better players against the Rangers in the playoffs last year and his contributions have the potential to be more valauble in the postseason.

[JJ]

Zubrus doesn't need to score goals as long as he's doing everything else he needs to do and his linemates are scoring. I said in an earlier post they have to stop making all these fancy passes, defenders know what they are doing and they are getting cut off B4 the play develops. They have to just simplify things by driving to the net. They spend so much time swirling and twirling around the zone.

[Henrik L]

TG, I agree on that. Sometimes I just get the feeling that Sutter is getting frustrated and trying all kinds of things to get more out of Zubrus...

I still think he is overpaid though, but that's just my opinion.
Aren't they all? Oh well, i shouldn't even go there

[Scott]

I think Shanny, Rolston, and Elias would get things going.

All those guys have been putting the puck on the net from different places. That'd be a monster line I think.

[Eric L]

Personally, I think Zubrus is getting a lot of flak for doing a decent job this year. Is he an ideal #2 centerman? Probably not. But I think he is doing an adequate job in the roll he is given. I do wish he would shoot more, as he does have a nice shot.

That said, I think I have more of a problem with Rolston than I do with Zubrus. The ankle injury was a while ago. He just doesn't look that into it this year. Sutter must be dying to know why this guy will not come out of his shell.

[mikeP]

I didn't think Zubrus was a good fit between Elias and Gionta, but to tell you the truth, if Gionta didn't become so pass happy and miss the net so much, Zubrus would be able to play his game at center and that line would be productive. As such, it seems that Zubrus is the grinder how drivers to the net and gets the puck out of the corners, Elias is the setup guy. Gionta is supposed to be the finisher, but his game has been on the decline over the past years, so he can't be relied on anymore. How about trading Gio and bringing in a Bill Guerin, or an Eric Cole ( I read rumour recently that Lou is interested in him, which makes sense because EC is American born ). Cole isn't a natural sniper but has scored 30 goals in Carolina. He started off really slow in Edmonton but has picked up his game.

[Pat D'Amico]

Parise-Zajac-Langenbrunner

Elias-Zubrus-Rolston

Shanny-Madden-Gionta

Rupp-Holik-Clarkson

Problem solved Sutter, you're welcome.

[Morethanyouknow]

Message to Pat, Elias is a LW and so is Rolston. They both play LW and center. So you did not sovle the problem.

Also, Rupp is in the line up over Pando..that's not good either. So you failed miserably.

[JoeDevil]

Pat,
Switch Zubs and Madden, and put Pando in for Rupp.

[jermz]

zubrus is the ideal #2 center for the devils...in theory. he's big and strong with good hands who comes at a good price for a #2 center. i'll be the first to admit i thought that the zubrus signing, at that price, was a great move by lou.

every once in a while zubrus goes into what i like to call rampage mode - the parise-like mentality that he wants that puck skittering along the boards more than anything in life and that he doesn't care whether he has to go around, over, under, or through his opponent to get it. great things happen for elias and gio when zubes is in rampage mode. problem is, he doesn't reach that level often...maybe one shift every three games.

what seems to spark zubrus, in my opinion, is physical confrontation...scrums in front of the net, big hitting by his linemates, even getting hit by defensemen. which is why i think it's a great idea to put zubes with clarkson. and which is why i agree with TG that zubrus will become more valuable in the playoffs.

and lou is neither ready to give up on zubrus nor is he going to find anyone to take on a contract of that length while the economy and salary cap are in limbo.

[Pat D'Amico]

@ Morethanyouknow, I'm not one to argue on these comment boards but Rolston is perfectly capable of playing right wing and I think he even did it for a few games this year, also I would take Rupp over Pando on the 4th line any day.

[Pat D'Amico]

....except maybe in the playoffs.

[Nick]

I just wish Rolston would show more effort/passion 5 on 5. That is only my criticism of him. Especially when you compare his effort to Parise, etc

[Henrik L]

Nick keep in mind that Rolston is old enough to be Zach's dad..well he could be

[devilstown]

FIRST, please watch Zubris when he is on the offensive side of the center line. Count how many times in the game when he touches the puck on that half of the ice that the other team is the one in possesion right off his stick.
SECOND, Pando did play fine lastnight, but do you really want him against a team with size and strength in the playoffs, or even (Philly) this Sunday for that matter?

[Anhkheg]

Zubes was a pure playoff performer last year. I hope he does the same this year.

[danimal]

TG, love your work. I'm addicted to this site.

What do you fellow devil junkies think of Mathieu Dandenault? Not sure how Lou would feel about trading with Montreal but seems like that might be a fit (We ship them Clemmer). From what I read, they are looking to dump some salary to go after a top 6 forward.

[TG]

Not sure why the Canadiens would want Clemmensen.

[Mark P]

We have back to back day games . . . Zubrus will rebound with a three point performance in each . . .

[Jacko]

Marty's Better!

[Murph]

did anybody that went to the game see clarkson trip and fall into marty during the warmups.. i thought it was funny to see marty joking with him (thank god not injured) but it was cool to see the players joke around and then hit clarksons stick away from him while he was trying to pick it up

[JohnnyB]

Zubrus does all the dirty work along the boards and tries to make way for Elias and Gionta. They connected earlier this season and this down time could be a blessing in disguise.