Weekes to start; Pandolfo to play; Rupp to sit

Kevin Weekes will start in net for the Devils tonight in their game against the Islanders at Prudential Center.

Jay Pandolfo will return to the Devils lineup after sitting out the last nine games as a healthy scratch.

Although Scott Clemmensen posted a shutout Monday against the Rangers, Devils coach Brent Sutter said that "never" caused him to think about altering his plan to start Weekes tonight.

"You look at your schedule and the times of games coming up," Sutter said. "We have an afternoon game coming up Sunday (against San Jose). We play a lot of hockey over these next two weeks. We play every second day. We're going to need both guys."

Weekes has allowed only one goal in each of his last three starts and won all three. His last start was a 5-1 win in Atlanta on Friday, so he is getting to play more regularly now than he did earlier this season.

"A little bit," Weekes said. "It certainly makes it a little it easier as far as game feel."

This will be Weekes' first start at Prudential Center since a 4-2 loss to Buffalo on Dec. 13. He did have a relief appearance at home on Jan. 8 against Atlanta, though.

Clemmensen said he was not surprised he's not starting again after a shutout on Monday.

"No, not really," he said. "Kevin has played well and as I've always said I expect both of us to get consideration for every game, every start."

Mike Rupp will sit out to make room for Pandolfo's place. Rupp said Sutter wanted him to sit out a game as a precaution because he has some sinus inflammation on the left side of his face from the punch he took from the Rangers' Colton Orr on Monday.

Rupp said he is taking medication for the inflammation.

"(Sutter) said that it's just precautionary reasons and to get on the medication the doctors gave me to get the inflammation down," Rupp said. "But I am 100 percent, just a little bit of sinus blockage on the one side."

Rupp has a bit of a black eye on the left side of his face.

"It's not too bad," he said. "It's really not. I think it looks worse than it is."

Rupp skated hard at the end of today's optional morning skate along with Jay Leach, who also will not play tonight, so his sinus inflammation did not seem to be affecting him on the ice. 

Pandolfo, who has not played since Jan. 17 against the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum, will step into Rupp's spot on the fourth line with Bobby Holik and Brendan Shanahan. Pandolfo said he got the word from Sutter on Tuesday that he would be back in the lineup tonight.

"Obviously, I'm happy to be playing," he said. "It's been a while." 
***

Defenseman Johnny Oduya said he is feeling OK and will play tonight after sitting out practice on Tuesday.

Aside from Pandolfo and Weekes, there will be no other lineup changes.

Comments

[HockeymanNJD]

its good to know that we have depth in our team...

[modnarm]

WOW! Pando better give us a good showing!

[LetsgoDevils]

Sutter should start the game with Pandolfo's line.

[JoeDevil]

Right decision starting Weekes. Clemmer has been great, but they have a lot of games these 2 weeks. Spread it out.

Good to see Pando too. I hope he plays to well that it's tough to sit him again. Tough decision either way, Rupp's been solid. Again, spread the wealth.

[Jason]

I guess this is as good a game as any to sit Rupp. The Islanders don't have any real heavyweights, and Clarkson/Salvador will have no problems with Jackman.

[Daveh]

As long as he doesn't look like Cote did after the Brashear fight.

[TG]

It's not even close to that. It's just a little black and yellow.

[Jersey Mike]

Good to see Pando back in. Also Rupp hasn't looked good in either of his last two fights.

[jermz]

TG, any sense from the coaching staff that they want to split the games evenly between weekes and clemmer from here until marty's return? If Weekes plays well, does that make Clemmer tradeable? Teams are always looking for backup goalies for the playoffs and honestly I think Clemmer's value has been overstated a bit, at least among the national media.

Outside of the stretch in November after Marty's injury where they lost 5 of 6 games, Weekes has posted a 4-1 record with 9 GA in those 5 games. And even Clemmer lost his first two games of the season during that November losing streak. I give both of them credit for playing well, but the wins and losses have really been more about how the team plays than how the goalie plays, and at this point this Devils team is as confident playing in front of Weekes as they are in front of Clemmer. Which was not the case in November, which was why Sutter went to Clemmer consistently.

[Jay]

anyone think pando might just be coming in so they can showcase him to some other teams? lou has done that in the past....

[John]

Trade Pando to the Kings for a bag of pucks and get the misery over with. Rupp's a much more effective player.

[marc]

I think you may be on to something Jay, Lou has done things like that in the past but I hope it is not that way. If anyone gets traded I think Gionta is the target along with a prospect or two.

[modnarm]

and who does everyone think will play RW on our 2nd line??!!!!

Elias-Zubrus-......... Shanahan??? Rolston? both of which prefer the left side.. Clarkson? Bergfors?

We need Gionta through these playoffs. His speed and digging for the puck is essential to getting it to Patrick. We don't have anyone to fill Gio's spot this season. Maybe we let him go as a UFA and bring up a prospect.. but i really don't think Gionta is on the block.

[Mike]

You know your team is baaaaaadddddddd when your top point getter is a a defenseman. Mark Streit currently leads the Isles in points. Yikes! This is truly the dark ages for Isles fans!

[Tim]

I keep seeing this gionta for ohlund talk. I personally would like gio to stay but if he does go to Van i would rather bieska back in return. He is bigger, youger, signed, and the right hand shot we need!

[Kaos]

From a Canuck P.O.V. Bieksa will cost more than just Gionta Minors or Drafts

[redante1]

oduya, gio and 1st rounder ust got traded for pronger and perry

[crossbar]

Perry's Anaheim's future. No way they part with him. Doubt there be a big market for Gionta. The last big trade I remember Jersey pulling is Gilmour...

[gregdil]

@ crossbar
arnott for langenbrunner?
mogilny the first time around (think it was for morrison?)

[crossbar]

True. I forgot Arnott/Langer was at the trading deadline and not the offseason. The Devils don't normally make a big splash at the deadline and you wonder if that'll change this time around. This is the best team they've had in years but there are still a few pieces missing. Hopefully, Lou will act accordingly.