Devils and Isles open at the Rock

October 10, 2008   ·   Hasan   ·   Jump to comments

In just about two and a half hours, both the Devils and Islanders will open their season at the Prudential Center in Newark, which is also the first Battle of the Hudson matchup in the Metro Ice Challenge.  Here are the anticipated lineups for both teams:

Devils forwards: Elias-Rolston-Gionta, Parise-Zajac-Langenbrunner, Pandolfo-Madden-Clarkson, Rupp-Holik-Zubrus

Devils defense: Salvador-Martin, White-Salmela, Mottau-Oduya

Islanders forwards: Sim-Weight-Guerin, Tambellini-Nielsen-Hunter, Bergenheim-Thompson-Okposo, Comrie-Park-Hilbert

Islanders defense: Martinek-Witt, Hillen-Streit, Pock-Meyer

Pregame thoughts: Some interesting choices for the Isles.  Both Blake Comeau and Bruno Gervais are healthy scratches, and tough guy Mitchell Fritz was sent down to Bridgeport.  Top pick Josh Bailey did make the team but an injury held him out of the lineup.  Last year’s first-line center Mike Comrie is a fourth-line wing, at least on paper.  Either Scott Gordon is a mad scientist or they’re already starting the John Tavares tank job.  Rick DiPietro will start after getting in only one preseason game.

As for the Devils, no issues here.  Glad Sutter’s finally split up the mismatched pair of Colin White and Mike Mottau and that Salmela’s getting a chance to play.  I’m not too thrilled with having David Clarkson on the checking line but I guess Brent Sutter wants some physical presence alongside the Madden-Pandolfo duo.

Should sign off about now as I’m getting ready to go to the game.  Should be one crazy night, especially with all three area teams playing on the same night at the Rock and MSG.

EPILOGUE: Well apparently the Isles’ lineup was more ‘normal’ than I was led to believe and DiPietro didn’t play.  I guess that’s the last time I use islanderspointblank.com.  Oh well, more on the Devils win later tonight or tomorrow!