Road Tour Stops in Sunrise

By Joe Bechtel
for 2ManAdvantage.com

Published: October 6, 2007

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Coming off a disappointing loss to the Tampa Bay Lecavaliers on Thursday night, the Devils will look to avoid starting the season opening road trip 0-2 as they square off against the Florida Panthers Game time is scheduled for 7 PM ET. Their opponents will be in the same boat, having lost their opener to the New York Ranger$, 5-2 on Thursday night at the Garden.

Don’t expect an easy game by any stretch of the imagination: the Florida Panthers completely dominated one of the leagues early Cup-favorites for two whole periods, playing a stingy, no-nonsense defensive game. (Hmm..where have I heard THAT before?!)

Brent Sutter has tweaked the lineup a bit since Thursday evening. Expect to see newly acquired bad-ass Sheldon Brookbank in the lineup as well as a reunion of John Madden and Jay Pandolfo as line mates.

Isn’t that heartwarming?

Rookie Nicklas Bergfors was dropped to the fourth line, and 2MA favorite David Clarkson has earned a spot on the top line alongside Elias and Zubrus after his scrappy play in Tampa. Frankly, I feel this is how it should have been from the start. Clarkson has too much intensity and talent to play on the fourth line. His size compliments Elias and Zubrus and will work very well should the Devils continue to assert themselves with a three-man-forecheck. Bergfors didn’t seem to have his NHL legs yet and got roughed up quite a bit in the corners.

Oh, and with any luck, Johnny Oduya will be kidnapped and locked in the hotel ice-room by his teammates just as the team bus leaves for the rink.

BEEEW! There is still some chatter that backup Kevin Weekes may actually get the nod over Martin Brodeur for tonight’s contest; I wouldn’t be too upset if this ends up being the case. Weekes played a strong pre-season before getting injured Sept. 21st against the Rangers. Face it, Weekes is a stronger and more proven goaltender than Scott Clemmensen (sorry, Patricia!) and is capable of handling a team like Florida. I just don’t know how exactly it would affect Brodeur to sit a game this early in the season, if at all.

I’d be very happy if the team is able to come out of the road trip with a 6-3 record, so let us not panic just yet. Be sure to mix up the pitcher of Kool-Aid for the festivities tonight. Sutter surely can’t lead this team to 0-2…can he?

Oh yeah, and don’t forget to check out the live-cap tonight!

8 Comments on "Road Tour Stops in Sunrise"

Dana B on Sat, 6th Oct 2007 3:32 pm

i have a feeling clarkson, parise, gionta, and zubrus will probably net one tonight..

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NJDevil on Sat, 6th Oct 2007 4:10 pm

So the lines will be:
Elias Zubrus Clarkson
Gionta Zajac Parise
Pando Madden Asham
Brylin Rupp Bergfors

Is that right? Does that mean Rod Pelly’s on the outside looking in? What about D? If Sheldon will be in the lineup, who’s out along with Matvachuk?

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NJDevil on Sat, 6th Oct 2007 4:11 pm

Oh and I still think Clarkson will be a great player for us. I have compaired his style to an old Wendall Clark type player. Can put the puck in the back of the net and drop the gloves (packing a huge punch) as well.

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Patricia Greuter on Sat, 6th Oct 2007 4:11 pm

NJDevil –
Bergfors will likely be out of the lineup tonight, he’s doubtful with a sore shoulder.

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Kelly on Sat, 6th Oct 2007 4:20 pm

Good for Clarky…

Weekes is definitely the better back up for Marty. His signing was almost like finding a diamond in the rough during the off season to me. He’s a proven NHL goalie. Enough said right there.

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Shari on Sat, 6th Oct 2007 4:46 pm

According to the Bergen Record Marty had to go back to NJ because of personal reasons so Weekes will be in goal tonight. Any reason why big Rich M on D is going to be a healthy scratch again tonight?

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Shari on Sat, 6th Oct 2007 5:16 pm

I wrote to The Hockey News about the constant Devil bashing,they put My letter on the Mailbag section ask Adam on the website and their answer just pissed Me off even more, and of course in their answer they took another jab at the team. Jerks

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Kelly on Sat, 6th Oct 2007 5:57 pm

Shari..

Unfortunately, they are writers and they certainly express their “frustrations” by bashing teams.

To me, I honestly sit there and laugh at those writers because they are expressing frustration like so many other people do. The Devs have been one of the best organizations from top to bottom and many wish to emulate that success. Management-wise, the Devs are one of the most respected. Players, coaches and managers know that. Why do you think Asham hopped off the island?

Remember: they are frustrated and don’t take losing very well, especially to a team that’s been pretty darn successful.

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Road Tour Stops in Sunrise

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