WARNING: The following is an unauthorized preview about some team from Jersey. Don’t read it.
Kings at Devils, 4 PM PST
Since we last met the New Jersey Devils…
IN: Coach Peter DeBoer replaces the much respected Jacques Lemaire, and the thoroughly unlamented John MacLean (who, in addition to his own shortcomings, happened to preside over a truly bizarre stretch of injuries and terrible shooting luck). Remind me to keep the Devils under hex the whole year next time. New additions Eric Boulton and Cam Janssen are fighting to establish their place in the roster. 4th overall pick Adam Larsson isn’t going anywhere. Freshly-minted captain and internet man-crush Zach Parise is back on a one-year contract. He keeps saying he wants to stay in Jersey, but since rumor-mongers need their hits, everyone will ignore it. Petr Sykora reunited with his old team after earning a contract out of camp. Defenseman Anton Stralman may be signed eventually, but is currently in tryout limbo.
OUT: David McIntyre, Mike McKenna, Colin White (bought out, now with the Sharks), Brian “Damn my cap hit” Rolston (traded to the Islanders). Former minority owner Ray Chambers also wanted out so badly he sold his 47% share for a mere $25 million, but everything’s fine! Fine. Fine.
SCRATCHED: Adam Henrique, Eric Boulton
INJURED: Travis Zajac (Achilles tendon)
Devils lines in practice:
Parise-Elias-Sykora
Kovalchuk-Josefson-Palmieri
Tedenby-Zubrus-Clarkson
Pelley-Mills-Janssen
Tallinder-Fayne
Greene-Larsson
Salvador-Volchenkov
In net: Martin Brodeur
Lineup for the Kings:
Gagne-Kopitar-Williams
Penner-Richards-Brown
Richardson-Stoll-Hunter
Clifford-Lewis-Moreau
Mitchell-Doughty
Scuderi-Johnson
Martinez-Greene
In net: Jonathan Quick
Scratched: Scott Parse, Kevin Westgarth
As for the Kings, the trip to Europe did a number on their sleep patterns, but after a few days’ rest, everyone is declaring that they feel thoroughly re-combobulated. Dustin Penner has also recovered, making Scott Parse’s exile official.
Terry Murray is reluctant to break Gagne away from the Kopitar line for chemistry reasons, but I have to wonder if a guy coming back from a leg injury is the best fit for the de-facto shutdown line with Richards. Then again, they’re still feeling things out; Stoll might become the new Handzus at any moment. Good luck, Pens. We shall see.
Go Kings.