Parise out vs. Islanders, Katic/Reese in for NYI, DiPietro vs. Brodeur
Zach Parise's much-anticipated return will not come tonight against the Islanders as expected. Parise told Jacques Lemaire last night that he was "not yet" ready and that Saturday is a more likely target.
"In my mind I knew it wasn't a good idea," Parise said after the Devils optional morning skate at the Prudential Center in Newark.
The knee injury Parise suffered before the season and re-aggravated has kept him out of the lineup for almost five months.
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Neither Milan Jurcina or Bruno Gervais will be available for tonight's game against NJ. Call-up defensemen Mark Katic and Dylan Reese will both play. They'll be paired together as well.
Jurcina tweaked his right hip flexor in practice yesterday; Gervais took Dan Carcillo's shot to the instep of his foot during Saturday's game. No timetable yet on either.
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Rick DiPietro will get his second consecutive start. Following Saturday's 4-1 loss to Philly, DiPietro will face Martin Brodeur in the opposing net tonight at the Rock.
Coach Jack Capuano said DiPietro is feeling good so they thought it best to get him some games and some work.
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Capuano indicated that we may notice some new wrinkles on the power play, with Michael Grabner receiving more time down low in front of the net. Capuano has used Grabner at the point at times, but thinks his quick hands and puck-retrieving abilities could be of good use to the team's second unit.
Grabner said he would welcome that role and had some--albeit limited--success when used in such a way during his short stints with Vancouver.
Capuano also said he may use Mark Katic and Dylan Reese at the points down the stretch as well.
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When Katic made his NHL debut in Philly last month, his father had just left for a two-week shift working the diamond mines in Northern Ontario.
Better luck this time around.
Katic's dad, Ed, and mom, Leila, made an impromptu trip to visit Katic and Bridgeport. As luck would have it, Katic got the call yesterday and they were happy to re-route. Poppa Katic will be seeing his sone play in person for the first time since juniors.
