No NHL team is more happy to see 2010 go away than the New Jersey Devils even though the NHL season spans two numbered years. However, with playoffs out of question, the Devils are at least hoping to end what has been a nightmare type season so far with a win to close out 2010 and get a salvage the season type fresh start in 2011. Johan Hedberg will start in goal for the Devils against his former Atlanta team and the Devils will look to avenge their 7-1 loss to Atlanta on December 18th, almost two weeks ago.
The Devils will likely go with the same line-up tonight as they did against the Rangers. Nick Palmieri was returned to Albany today 24 hours after being called up. He was probably called up to fill in for some of the injured players in practice. Mark Fraser was assigned to Albany for conditioning. Brian Rolston is scheduled to skate today and will practice with the Devils sometime next week before returning to the line-up as a disgruntled veteran. Rolston said that the one year left on his deal next year was the deal breaker in teams not claiming him even though those teams had interest. Maybe, Lou Lamoriello will try to trade him before the deadline, but might have to trade additional pieces and draft picks to rid of Rolston.
Jacob Josefson is expected to start practicing again next week. He will see a doctor on Monday to get clearance. Parise and Bryce Salvador are still Lou's religious word "Status Quo." Parise was told to remain off skates until March even if his knee heels 100% in February. Salvador has only been working out off the ice, but is still a month or two away with post-concussion and concussion symptoms. Matt Taormina is on and off skating still and likely 3-4 weeks away from practicing or playing. The Devils will hopefully salvage their season by playing consistent in 2011 and carry that energy into 2011-2012.
No comments:
Post a Comment