Langenbrunner, Salvador appear unlikely for Game 5

Neither Jamie Langenbrunner nor Bryce Salvador were at the Devils' media availability today and the team offered no update on either players' status for Thursday's Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Carolina Hurricanes.

"We'll know tomorrow," Devils coach Brent Sutter said. "Nothing has changed today. We'll see tomorrow. They're probably both day to day."

Langenbrunner has missed the last two games with what the team is calling a "lower-body injury". Salvador suffered a left knee injury in the second period of Tuesday's 4-3 loss in Game 4 in Carolina.

Given the lack of an update today, it appears neither will play Thursday. 

When I asked Sutter if there is a chance that either player will skate tomorrow, he replied, "Who knows? I don't know what to say because I'm not sure myself."

With Salvador injured, the Devils played the final 32:52 of Tuesday's game with only five defensemen. If Salvador doesn't play Thursday, Andy Greene will take his place in the lineup.

"I thought our five defensemen played extremely well," Sutter said. 'I thought the five of them handled it very well. And Greenie will come in and we won't miss a beat."

Greene said he is preparing as if he will play on Thursday.

"You always prepare like you're playing, so in case something does happen you're not caught off guard" he said. "If they call my name, then I'll be ready."

Jumping into a playoff series in Game 5 in won't be easy.

"That's why the skates and practices and game-day mornings when you're not playing, you've got to get as much out of those skates and workouts as you can, so when you are called upon you're ready," Greene said. "That's what I've been trying to do the best that I can. Just be ready and be ready to go if it is tomorrow." 

Comments

[DEVILS!!!!]

BOOO. That sucks...

[Jeff in Hoboken]

I like Greene's attitude--always have been a fan of his. Let's hope he can play well tomorrow.

[Tommy.]

You know Rolston blows when he can't even get a goal playing with Parise and Zajac.

[lets go devils]

hey TG-
do you know if sutter is going to play greene with havelid and keep the other two pairs or will he mix things up

[Strac]

I thought Rollie played well in game 3 when the devils won in OT. Made a big hit that turned the puck to Parise which he scored. He played well on the PP and did good on the other shifts. In OT he drove the net, his job, bringing D to him and screening Ward for Zajac to put it home. Last game no one did that good but i thought Rollie played okay nothing bad that i remember.
Bad news about Salvadore but Greene is a good D man and will take his place well. Idk wen Langs will be back but Holik was okay. This team has pretty good depth and can handle the injuries IMO.

[Shari]

Not to be a downer and I really hope I'm wrong, but I think they are both done for the season. Who knows for sure either way, the losses will hurt but I have faith in this Team, they will overcome either way.

[brian s]

rollie has stepped up his hitting for sure, but his race to the puck id still not completely there. he also seems bit confused on what to do with the puck except for when he winds up

[Pete]

Please dear god I will drive Havelid to the airport myself if it means he never steps foot in our locker room again. Leach should play instead.

[UnsungPando]

Pete, I will pay for gas and tolls.

[AreJay]

I look at the Rangers and they just get lucky all year with injuries. No one is ever hurt. Yet the Devils, gee, they've battled injuries all year and still managed a third seed.

Now they have to do it again, against a despicable team like the Hurricanes that basically makes it a plan to run the goaltender knowing the refs are too incompetent to call it properly for fear from the NHL. More scoring, right?

The Devils can't do anything about it because they'll just get tagged with roughing penalties. Some league the NHL has become.

[Prokat]

Hey Pete,
The acquisition of Havelid was just another 'pretty face'.