Brodeur Back, Langenbrunner Out Tonight Against The Oilers

Added on Nov 12, 2010 by J Merrill in

NHL

Things aren’t going well for the New Jersey Devils. Even when something good happens it seems something bad must happen as well. Martin Brodeur, who was injured by a puck two games ago, will be back on the ice tonight, but their captain Jaime Langenbrunner will not be playing. The Devils are still trying to garner their first home victory.

Brodeur told the media this morning, “It’s a bruise, It’s a little tender, but moving-wise, I’m doing stuff I need to do to be able to perform and I feel all right. I pretty much can do everything. I feel it once in a while, but that’s the tenderness of the arm. I’m good enough to shoot the puck, play the puck, poke check; it’s been all right, no problem.” It seems he has added a pad to the area where the bruise is. “It’s a little cushion where the bruise is,” he said. “You can’t put a lot since the bruise is in the joint and you’re moving so you can’t add too much padding because it’s going to limit your flexibility.”

Brodeur was also asked about the fact that the Devils were 0-5-2 at home this season. He explained “I think when you play all year long to have an effect on home ice, you must take advantage. You play to get yourself into the playoffs and have home-ice advantage, so you need to feel comfortable playing at home and that hasn’t been the case. It’s definitely something we’re not happy about, but today is a new day and we’re playing a team that is struggling, too. We have to jump on them as quick as we can. They have young talent so we can’t give them any more excitement.”

Jaimie Langenbrunner took a header into the boards the other night, an although he finished the game, he is still feeling the effects of the hit. Devils Coach Maclean explained “Jamie is still sore with an upper-body issue after he went in awkwardly against Buffalo. We’ll give him another day here, and reevaluate.” Maclean continued “Vas and Travis played well together last game and it just so happens to work out that way for tonight. Vas can be a contributor if he uses his strength and skating ability. That’s what we’re looking for.”

The Edmonton Oilers are in town to play the Devils, and they are struggling as well. Both teams are last in their divisions with only ten points, so both teams are looking to strike while the other is on the ropes. While the Devils are last in Goals per game average and Power Play Percentage, the Oilers are last in Goals Against Average and Penalty Killing. Both teams are coming off of a two losses, and are looking for the needed win. The Devils are steps away from panic mode since they still don’t have a home win, and the Oilers would love to add to the drought. The Game takes place at 7pm ET.