Langenbrunner: "I would imagine I'm playing tomorrow"

Devils coach Brent Sutter said the final decision won't be made until Sunday, but it appears captain Jamie Langenbrunner will return to the lineup for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Carolina Hurricanes at RBC Center.

Langenbrunner has missed the last three games with a lower-body injury.

By mid-way through this morning's practice, Langenbrunner was back skating with his usual line with Zach Parise and Travis Zajac.

"The way I went on the line (in practice), I would imagine that I'm playing tomorrow," Langenbrunner said. "But [Sutter will] make that final decision and it depends on if I respond well again today, I guess."

Sutter cautioned against assuming that Langenbrunner will play in Game 6.

"We'll see tomorrow," Sutter said. "The decision will be made tomorrow."

Sutter admited Langenbrunner looked good in practice.

"I thought he looked good out there," Sutter said. "We'll see how he responds and make a decision at game-time tomorrow whether it happens or not."

Langenbrunner and defenseman Bryce Salvador (left knee) both will accompany the team on their flight to Raleigh this afternoon. Salvador plans to take part in Sunday's morning skate, but Sutter said Salvador won't play in Game 6.

Brian Rolston, who had been playing in Langenbrunner's place on Zajac's line, said he expected that he would go back to centering the fourth line between Mike Rupp and David Clarkson. That was where he skated for the second part of today's practice.

Sutter would not commit to that. He also would not say if Bobby Holik would come out of the lineup again to make room for Rolston's return.

"It's possible," Sutter said. "I don't want to say too much about it because I'm not sure what Jamie's status will be tomorrow. If he's good to play, then there's going to have to be a decision made who is going to come out, but I'm not sure who that's going to be, yet." 

The Devils hold a 3-2 series lead over the Hurricanes and can wrap it up with a win Sunday. With the Devils ahead, there seems to be no rush for Langenbrunner to return, but he said there is urgency to finish off the Hurricanes and not let them get to a Game 7 on Tuesday.

"I don't think that's a mindset you have," Langenbrunner said of the idea not playing because the Devils are ahead in the series. "That's thinking that now we have something to play with. When you are ready to play, you want to if you can and I think you put your best lineup in if you have a chance and you don't want to give them any opportunity. It's not like we're up 3-0. It's 3-2 and it's a tight series and I'm ready to play. I want to be in there."

Today's practice was Langenbrunner's first since he was injured in Game 2 on April 17. Langenbrunner and Salvador skated on their own on Friday.

"I felt good," Langenbrunner said of today's practice. "I skated yesterday and felt good yesterday. Today, I got to go out there with those guys and I felt good."

Langenbrunner would not reveal the exact nature of his injury.

"I hurt my lower body," he said.

He said he still doesn't know how it happened. He limped off the ice after attempting a shot, but said he doesn't think that caused the injury.

"Honestly, I don't know what play it happened on," he said. "I can't imagine it was when I came off -- that shot that did it. I don't think so, but I don't know."

Salvador skated before the start of today's practice, but did not stay on the ice for the practice.

"I feel good," Salvador said. "I'm going to skate tomorrow in the pre-game skate."

Salvador still wouldn't admit that it was an injury to his left knee, though he immediately grabbed his knee after Chad LaRose fell on his left leg.

He said there was some swelling, but, "not too bad, actually."

Overall, he has recovered from the injury more quickly than he expected.

"Definitely," he said. "The initial thinking of what it (was), I'm definitely really happy and fortunate with where we're at now. Two or three days and I was back skating, so I can't complain about that at all."

Salvador said he did not know if he would wear a brace, but did not wear one the last two days when he was skating.

Comments

[Pete]

When Salvador is good to go again, how do you take out Andy Greene? He's played too well to come out. By comparison, Havelid would make an excellent choice to scratch.

[Steve]

Pete I agree with you 100 percent. Greene/Salvador would make for a very solid unit, with the ability to move the puck up when needed. Greene also is much better on the power play, actually wanting to shoot the puck from the point.

[Futureman]

I thought Havlid had his best game as a Devil last game. Greene and Salvi played well together at the end of the season when Havlid was "resting". One thing is for sure though, Havlid and Salvi do not play well together. Match'em up however you want, but please don't put Havlid and Salvi back together. Havlid is not fast enough for a guy laike Salvi.

[NJ99]

If Salvi is coming back into the lineup the choices to scratch are Havelid or Greene. Despite the Mottau hate the Mottau/White partnership has been solid.

Given that choice and based on Greenes performance in the last game I think Havelid will sit.

[A Local Fan]

I kind of like having Greenes mobility, especially against a speedy Canes team. Havelid seems to feel more comfortable playing the stay at home role which he can't do when he's out there with Sal. Greene should stay and Havelid look decent last game. Why not just rest Salvo until his knee is 100% and until the next round when they play a more physical team in Pit or Phil?

[lightrail rider]

I too agree Greene should stay in - I think Havalid should sit this game and see what happens Take no Prisoners leave no cane standing

[njteech]

I also say Greene earned the start, looong playoff run what's is store....rest Bryce.

[JJ]

Hold the presses, I agree with Alf?

[Scratch28]

Glad to hear the news, I must admit I was completely wrong this time around, I was convinced as of yesterday that neither Langs nor Salvador would be making the trip to Raleigh. Glad they proved me wrong!

[RickyM2]

I'm just hoping that Langy isnt gunna come out rusty in a series that we saw at the level it has been since he left. He hasnt been on the ice when the canes threw it in to high gear. I think they should sit Holik and put Rollie on his line. If he can nail that shot with Clarky in front...... WOW!! I also agree that Greene should stay in. What a tough choice!! Swap a vet for a puppy in a playoff? Well, if last game is any indication of where Greene is at, then I cant see him being sat out. Any chance they can sit 1 fwds and put in 7 D men? I think we are actually seeing how deep our team actually is.
Any input?

[JJ]

I wouldn't sit a forward RickyM2, esp. since Langs is coming back from an injury. Last thing we need in a potential clincher is to be down 2 forwards. Game goes OT, we have a short bench as it is with no tv timeouts...not good. It's moot anyway, Sutter said Salvador isn't playing so it's gonna be Langs in & Holik or Rupp a healthy scratch.

[virtual rob]

Was at the Rock giving blood (I will do a lot for a free jersey). TG - did you give blood? (We all know you bleed Devils Red and give a lot every day for us). Heard over 800 signed up to give blood.

Great news on Langs and Salvi, let's keep Greene in - he brings mobility and energy

[carlos]

LAST YEAR: take greene out. his clumbsy, weak, chokes under pressure.. put VISH in..

This year: No way you're taking him out... Who ever said his speed would be good against a speedy Carolina hit the nail on the head

[JJ]

Anyone who said put Vishnevski in last year was out of their minds. He was probably hands down the worst signing Lou has ever made aside from maybe bringing back Mogilny.

[Mottau Blows]

Bench Mottau when Sal comes back to keep Greene in. It's really not that tough of a decision, Brent. Just grow a pair and do it. Havelid was so solid last game, I can't believe people want to see him come out over Mottau. Mind blowing.

On another note, I'm not sure it should be Holik coming out for Langer's return. He has looked good out there the past couple games. I think Rupp might be the better choice (anyone remember Rupp's "breakaway" last game). Also, Holik's faceoff prowess is an advantage, and especially one we could use against Brindamour.

[Mike]

Agreeing with JJ. Vishnevski was ugh... so awful. I understand why he was brought in. Big huge stay at home physical d man, but he was such a waste. Bringing back Mogilny would have been awesome if the dude could have still played. Always liked Alexander, personally.

[Dr.Aquafresh]

i too think that because of the way sutter is playing his cards, hes thinking of benching rupp when langs comes back.

[Zorin]

Really doubt he'll sit Rupp over Holik, Rupp had some good chances in game 5, plus, if the 3rd period was any indication, Holik sat for the whole 20 minutes, Rupp got some ice time.

[Nieds27]

Alf's comments pre-supposed that the Caps will lose to the Rangirl$. Not a lock, just yet, and I'm thinking that the Caps will come back and tie the series tomorrow. And given the ease that the Rangirl$ beat the Caps early in the series, I'm hoping that the Devils play them next... Could be easier than Pittsburgh (assuming they beat Philly, of course).
Greene stays in, Salvadore rests another day.
As much as I like Holik, I think he's the odd man out for Langs. Even though I know Rollie won't be pulled since he has "some" scoring touch and PP time, I would prefer to see Sutter send a message to Brian and sit him out for a game. Maybe that's what he needs?

[Philly Devil]

TAKE OUT MOTTAU! Or do you want to see CHAD LAROSE school him again?

[JPL]

Mottau has been playing solid all series long. I relly think people need to start realizing he is legit. He's played well all season and deserves to be in the line up.

[Jeff O.]

you have to sit Havelid for Bryce if he does in fact play tomorrow. Greene played nicely on Thursday, and putting him with Bryce would be a great pairing. no disrespect to Havelid, but he just hasn't been what we've wanted him to be since we've got him.

[A Local Fan]

I think Mottau lacks foot speed which is a problem against a fast Canes team. Evertime he and Whitey are out there I cringe. I was actually happy with Greene's skating ability, eventhough he is kind of soft. I don't know why everyone is riding Havelid. He was fine and he even made a great pass to Pando for a breakaway.

It doesn't matter cause Salvador isn't playing anyway. I hope Greene can play another solid game. I was impressed by him in game 5.

[LI Devils Fan]

Mottau has been effective this series in my opinion. I dont think there is any way they can sit Greene, when Sal comes back. Sit Havelid, the guy stinks. Havelid gets pushed around just as much as Greene gets critized for, and Havelid has nowhere near the offensive ability that Greene does.

[Noam N. Kogen]

Bringing back Mogilny and Malakhov, along with bringing in Vishnevski, were among the worst post-NHL Lockout moves that Lou Lamoriello made. Most of you forgot about Malakhov.

Bringing in Rolston will prove to be beneficial. Bringing in Holik was good.

Havelid should come out once Salvador comes back.