Devils at Predators
THE STORY: Emotions are tempered in the Garden State
after the New Jersey Devils collected their second win in three games.
Sure, Thursday's 2-1 victory over the upstart Los Angeles Kings is
reason for optimism, but future Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur tweaked his
right shoulder and exited the contest. Considering that the 39-year-old
Brodeur has missed 76 games over the last three seasons, well, it's easy to
understand the level of concern for both new coach Peter DeBoer and the
fan base in general. Johan Hedberg, who is just one year younger than
Brodeur, stopped all 16 shots he faced and denied both shootout attempts
to record his second straight victory. DeBoer hasn't revealed which
veteran netminder will get the call for Saturday's road game against the
Nashville Predators. On the other end of the ice, Vezina Trophy
finalist Pekka Rinne will look to rebound from both his - and his team's
- first loss of the season.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, MSG+2
ABOUT THE DEVILS (2-1-0): After enjoying home cooking
for its first three games, New Jersey plays five of its next six on the
road. DeBoer certainly has shown faith in 18-year-old rookie defenseman
Adam Larsson. The fourth overall pick logged a team-high 24:59 of ice
time and has seen significant special teams minutes this season. Captain
Zach Parise assisted on Patrik Elias' goal on Thursday and now has
three points in as many games. Parise is showing no ill effects from his
serious shoulder injury from last season.
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (2-1-0): Music City was rockin' ...
until the Predators took the ice on Thursday. Nashville permitted three
first-period goals and never truly contended in its 5-2 home-opening
loss to the Phoenix Coyotes. David Legwand collected two assists on
Thursday and leads the NHL with seven points on the young season. After
two solid games in which he recorded four points, rookie Craig Smith was
doused with cold water by way of a minus-3 against the Coyotes.
OVERTIME:
1. New Jersey has killed off all 14 shorthanded situations this season.
For its part, Nashville has converted three of its 10 power plays.
2. Nashville is putting together quite the walking wounded. The team
placed LW Martin Erat on injured reserve with an upper-body injury while
C Mike Fisher will miss two more weeks
with a shoulder injury.