Getting back to work

The Devils' practice this morning at Prudential Center is underway.

As he often does, Devils coach Brent Sutter called the players over for a meeting on the ice before the start of practice. This one lasted 11 minutes, though. No doubt there was some discussion of Saturday's 7-3 loss to the Islanders.

Paul Martin was on the ice before practice began, but left briefly for an apparent equipment problem and missed the start of Sutter's talk.

The Devils are back at work today after having Sunday off. They host the Calgary Flames Tuesday night. The Devils will be going for their eighth consecutive home win, which would tie the team record.

Brendan Shanahan joined the members of the shot club this morning. That's the first time I remember him being out there early with them, but there might have been another time I can't recall.

Judging by the practice jersey colors, the line combinations are the same as they were at the start of Saturday's game. There are four players in gray (fourth line): Jay Pandolfo, John Madden, Bobby Holik and Mike Rupp.

After having a lot of coverage with their down-low coverage on Saturday, the Devils did some one-on-one and then some two-on-two.down low drills.

That was followed by five-on-five in the defensive zone. The defense pairs are the same with Andy Greene rotating in as the extra defenseman. Rupp appears to be rotating in for Pandolfo and Holik on the fourht line.

All players are on the ice.

***

They were just doing some 2-on-0 work against Martin Brodeur and Brodeur robbed Rupp with diving backhand glove save.  Jamie Langenbrunner, who had passed to Rupp, slammed his stick on the ice afterward in frustration.

They are working on plays that start out from behind the net, which was another problem on Saturday.

***

Today's line combination and defense pairs.

Forwards: Parise-Zajac-Langenbrunner; Elias-Zubrus-Gionta; Shanahan-Rolston-Clarkson; Pandolfo-Madden-Holik -- Rupp (extra).

Defensemen: Oduya-Martin; White-Mottau; Salvador-Havelid; Greene (extra).

Goaltenders: Brodeur, Weekes.

Comments

[Jason]

Get Rupp out there, this team needs some spark.

[lucas s]

work them, work them hard for not showing up since Toronto

[Devilswede]

Rupp has to be back in vs Calgary. Pando is just not doing anything worthwile out there.. I hope they're having a really rough practice today. They embarrased themselves the othe day. That was a joke!

[Scratch20]

Thank you!! I'm glad I'm not the only one hoping to see Rupp in Tuesday's line up (and every line-up)and not see Pando!! I really hope they get it together for tomorrow's game, let's hope they get inspired!

[mpf]

I'd also like to see Rupp back in.

[Rob]

i'm still astounded by their pitiful performance on saturday

[Sohl]

yea Rupp needs to get back in. and just outta curiosity who else is in the shot club?

[bjstirling]

I like Pando as well and appreciate the yeoman duty he's performed over the years but his performance against the Isles does not warrant remaining in the lineup.

[HF]

has pando done one positive thing that stands out?

[Rob]

What's with everyone ragging on Pando? He's been playing pretty well, lately. NOBODY played well against the isles, so I'm just gonna forget that game ever happened.

[lucas s]

It's not just the islanders game, this team was also lucky to get out of toronto with two points. Toskala was the difference for TML but they just didn't play well defensively.
I think Rupp is more likely to change the pace of a game with a fight or hit then Pando and his wide shots are.

Right now I would rather a game changer then someone who has been on an ineffective pk.

[shahjige]

putting in rupp tuesday will make him want to fight for his spot back (faster skating, aggressive forecheck), this will help his line and the team

pando just seems like he isnt playing for his spot and in my eyese if your gonna drag around you can sit for a while

[HF]

honestly i do appreciate what pando has done for the devs over the years and has been a standup guy. However, if you look at strictly on ice production, i just dont see how hes been more productive/effective than the guy sitting out(Rupp). rupp brings more to the table, thats the bottom line and sutter needs to make the right move here. we have enough penalty killers.

[JJ]

Yeah, Rupp's probably a better choice at this point IF and ONLY IF he's playing a physical game. He doesn't really do much else unfortunately and Madden with Holik & Rupp means Madden is the only guy who can skate on that line. Holik is ploddingly slow at his age.

[Jeff]

I think they should have started with "Herbies" until they puked. After all I almost puked watching the Islander game. I would like to see Rupp return at least when he gets a decent chance he can hit the net. Sorry but Pando couldn't put the puck in the ocean from the end of a dock.

[Scratch20]

Isles game aside, Pando just isn't pulling his weight, he gets the chances and squaders them away, he is not a finisher, his shots are generally wide or high and when they are on net they are weak and pathetic, the guy has the upper body strength of a kitten; in addition, I am sick of him getting pushed around and him just tucking his tail between his legs and skating away..not even going to get into him not ever going to a teammate's defense...the guy sees a squable and he runs for his mommy

[HF]

you are right about his lack of toughness, im surprised sutter hasnt gotten into his face about that. Pando has got to be waived at end of season 2.5 mil is a collosal waste of cap space.

[Big Tony D]

I agree with everyone who wants Rupp back in. There should have been a fight on Sunday to get us back in the game whenwe were down 3-0 against the isles.

[Steven]

Whats the status with the NBC game?

[zman]

Agreed on the Rupp needs/should start chant here. As for the game Sat...it sucked..end o story. Many high caliber teams play down to the level of their opponent..as much as their told "hey they beat you guys 4-0 two weeks ago" or "don't take them too lightly"...as an athlete myself I've fallen into that lackluster effort thinking. If you look at the mighty Red Wings...they have played some lousy games against bottom dwellers Colorado and lost many of them...hell they got shellacked this last Sat 8-2 by Columbus and one week earlier 8-2 by Nashville. I'm not saying either of those two teams suck but 16 goals...jeeeeez. My point i guess is relax...everyone is heading for hills with "this ain't no Stanly Cup team...tomorrow is a new day and the Devils will come out with some piss and vinegar. I would love see the home record wins pile up...good for playoff psyche. Zack attack nets 2 tomorrow...Go Devils

[devilstown]

Hold on a minute! Certainly Pando was no game breaker, but he only had 9 minutes total ice time and at least he wasn't a minus. I watched the game again, (I know glutton for punishment), and Rolston lost 5 of 7 face-offs and was a minus 3 as was Shanahan. I just hope these older slower players, Rolston, Holik and Shanahan don't end up killing us in the playoffs. I do believe Rupp should play tomorrow, more because I don't think either Rupp or Pando should sit out for extended periods. I can't see that being beneficial to the team, keep-em fresh Brent, WILL-YA PLEASE!

[panz]

z-man......the wings lost 8-0 to nashville i think

[JJ]

My concern exactly devilstown, we don't match up well with teams that have a lot of speed which is why it's important that Pandolfo stay fresh. Let's face it, the guy is not a physical player nor did he ever have any scoring touch (neither has Rupp) but he does other things that are important.

[Jack]

Saturday's disgrace can be erased with a big win over Calgary.

[zman]

Thanks for the correction Panz...i realized that after the post