Martin, Pandolfo MIA as Devils Host Phoenix in First Prudential Center Day Game

Jeremy Kenter's picture

Devils- Coyotes TV: FSNY Radio: WFAN-AM 660...Time: 1:00 p.m (NO PREGAME SHOW)....Tom Gulitti of the Bergen Record reported this morning that NJD defenseman Paul Martin will not play for the Devils (17-11-3) this afternoon when they host the last place Phoenix Coyotes (13-16-0).  Forward Jay Pandolfo is also still recovering from his pelvic injury and will not be in skates.  Head coach Brent Sutter said that blueliner Sheldon Brookbank will replace Martin and the Devils will go with seven defenseman... I think this is a good idea considering the Devs are something like 7-1 or 7-2 with an extra d-man in the rotation...LAST GAME -- Sutter continued to alter the lines, moving Patrik Elias back to his natural position at the left wing, Travis Zajac at center, and Brian Gionta at right wing...THE John Madden "take on the opposition's scoring line" line consisted of Madden at center and Jamie Langenbrunner and Zach Parise on the wings...Lithuanian native Danius Zubrus centered the third line with the White Russian mix of veteran Sergei Brylin and 23-year-old David Clarkson...MY THOUGHTS... I liked these lines last game and it looks like Sutter kept them at practice on Thursday... The Coyotes are not a huge scoring threat... in fact, they have scored 70 goals thus far, fewest in the Western Conference and only a shade better than New York's Rangers and Islanders (68 apiece)...which allows Sutter to situate Madden with some offensive assistance...I am not sure who is starting in net considering that the Devils play on back-to-back days (tomorrow they host Philadelphia before a road trip out west)...

Team Stat Comparison
 
69
Goals
78
83
Goals Against
72
17
Power Play Goals
21
25
Power Play Goals Allowed
25
3
Shorthanded Goals
1
4
Shorthanded Goals Allowed
3
475
Penalty Minutes
345
16
Average Penalty Minutes
11



Random image