Shanahan, Oduya will play; Salvador questionable; Weekes to start

Right wing Brendan Shanahan said he will play tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning after missing the last two games with a bruised right foot. Defenseman Johnny Oduya also will play after skipping practice Wednesday to rest.

Defenseman Bryce Salvador is questionable for tonight's game, though. Salvador did not practice Wednesday after being hit in the left hand and right foot with shots in Tuesday's loss in Florida. He also did not participate in today's optional morning skate at St. Pete Times Forum.

Devils coach Brent Sutter said Salvador was not feeling well this morning.

"He's just a little ill," Sutter said. "That's why he didn't come down (to the rink) this morning. So, we'll see at game-time tonight."

Sutter admitted that Salvador was "just a little sore" Wednesday.

Sutter said Anssi Salmela, who was called up from Lowell on Wednesday, will definitely play tonigth regardless of whether Salvador plays. It looks like Jay Leach would sit if Salvador plays. He skated this morning and Andy Greene was given the morning off.

Sutter said the decision had not been made yet about who would sit if Salvador plays.

Shanahan had said his foot felt "good" in the morning skate.

"I had made my mind up that it was good enough to go yesterday, but I think Brent wanted me to come out the day after and have another skate just to make sure that I didn't go the other way. I felt fine out there, so..."

Shanahan blocked four shots in Friday's win over Boston, but it was one off the laces of his right skate from Dennis Wideman that did the most damage. Shanahan pointed out that Wideman took all four shots that he blocked.

Shanahan joked that Wideman's name was not accurate.

"Shoot it wide man, not at me," he quipped. "He should be called 'Right at me.' Dennis Right at Me.'"

That's gold, Shanny. Gold!

***

Oduya insisted he was only resting when he did not practice Wednesday.

"Just the same as last time," he said. "Day of rest."

***

Sutter confirmed that Kevin Weekes will start in net tonight

Jay Pandolfo will sit to make room for Shanahan's return.

Defenseman Paul Martin will miss his third game in a row tonight with an upper body muscle pull and Sutter confirmed that it's "highly unlikely he'll play Saturday" against the Islanders.

***

It hasn't been confirmed yet, but it appears likely that NBC will televise the Devils' game on March 22 in Boston, which would shift the start from 3 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Comments

[z-man]

I just have a bad feeling about this game tonight. Too many people are banged up.

[Sarah]

I can't wait to have a heart attack every time Anssi Salmela touches the puck. Hell of a slapshot, but man does he make me nervous.

[Pearl Jammed]

i think the team will be fine, they just looked like they were completely out of sync on tuesday, and hopefully that is something that will be remedied tonight.

[Captain Cornholio]

Let's show some patience for Salmela. Let's see if he has learned anything in the minors. I do think the power play will get a shot in the arm.

[mcalpine2daRafters]

TG I love the Bania Seinfeld reference...

The Ning Dynasty only has three wins in ten, and the Devils have been great in bounce back games this year, I also like giving Salmela a chance, I'm not the biggest Jay Leach fan, hoping Salvador is in, The Devils should be fine

"Why do they call it Ovaltine? The mug is round. The jar is round. They should call it round tine."

[Pat]

So based on Shanny's rationale, we have Brian (14) Wideman, John (11) Wideman etc.

[JJ]

Hopefully Salmela learned something about playing defense Sarah because he's got a lot of talent. Not only is his shot hard and accurate but he can skate really well also.

[BrotherPucker]

TG, please comment. Andy Greene: His first six games, he gets six points (a goal and five assists). He looks great. He gets a broken hand, and is out for five-six weeks. He comes back, plays regularly, gets two points in, what, 25 games. I don't get it. Is his hand bothering him? Did it affect his shot? Is he over-protecting it? Any thoughts there?

[modnarm]

I like Salmela and his confidence to do crazy things on the ice. Hes gotten teaching from L. Robinson, Scott Stevens and that other coach in Lowell so i'm sure we'll see a little difference in his play. I really think he can be something special for us in the future when his dgame develops and solidifies.

[Captain Cornholio]

Again, let's show some patience for the young man. If Sutter puts him in a position to succeed, then he will. If Sutter asks too much of him, then things could go wrong from there.

[KenF]

I love the way Salmela plays. he makes the game just that much more exciting. last time he was up he seemed to be the only one that could get a shot on net from the point, and wasnt afraid to keep shooting.

I'm hoping he stays up, looks like Sutter lost confidence in Greene.

[Salvatore from Garfield]

Love what Shanny said!

[Pat D'Amico]

Why do they call it Ovaltine? The mug is round; the jar is round... they should call it Roundtine.
^ I know someone posted that but I couldn't help myself. TG you should have said that to Shanny's face to see if he got the reference or if he would have given you a death stare.

[TG]

When Shanahan made that "Right at me" joke, I said back, "That's gold, Jerry! Gold!"

He laughed. I'm assuming that means he got the reference.

[BrotherPucker]

TG, please comment. Andy Greene: His first six games, he gets six points (a goal and five assists). He looks great. He gets a broken hand, and is out for five-six weeks. He comes back, plays regularly, gets two points in, what, 25 games. I don't get it. Is his hand bothering him? Did it affect his shot? Is he over-protecting it? Any thoughts there?

[Jeff]

Umm he's a below average defenseman who had a good stretch maybe some luck?

[Al (Philly Devil)]

Andy will be fine, kid is in a small rut..he'll be fine. Pando MUST play for Rupp at least once, good to see Weekes in there and I am loving the fact that they finally brought up Annsi who has played very well in Lowell.

[Jeff DG]

When Brodeur is back, who is the third wheel in goal? Clearly looks like Weekes. But he has played pretty well. Do you think they might trade him? Any idea what is happening here?