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Langenbrunner in, Salvador out for Game 6

April 26, 2009 02:41 PM | Posted by   CBC Sports Staff  

The Devils will get their captain back for Sunday night’s sixth game against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Jamie Langenbrunner was back with Zach Parise and Travis Zajac in the morning skate.

"We're able to get our captain back in the lineup," coach Brent Sutter said. "Obviously he's been an important player for us. We've been able to find ways to prevail without him."

While Langenbrunner is ready to return from the lower body injury that sidelined him for three games, defenceman Bryce Salvador will not play. Salvador took part in the morning skate but will be held out after missing a game with a left knee injury.

"You always think you can play. I'm disappointed not to be playing this game and the last game, but it might not be the right decision to play," Salvador said. "I look for the positive in everything. It could've been a lot worse. The outcome I had, I'll take this over what could have been. You can't control someone falling on your leg."

Asked if Salvador was being held out because he wasn’t ready or because he didn’t want to change his lineup, Sutter said: "It could be a little of both. This is his first time on the ice. That being said, I like the way our six guys played the other night. No need to make a change."

Andy Greene will remain on defence paired with Niclas Havelid.

Langenbrunner was excited after watching the last three games -- the two road games on TV at home and Game 5 in a Prudential Center suite.

"This was my third day of skating. It felt good to be out there. I feel good," Langenbrunner said.

"I missed a week, but you get back into it right away. It has only been a week. It hasn't been a month."

Salvador is now wearing a brace on his left knee.

Babchuk back, Kaberle out for 'Canes

Forward Eric Staal said the Hurricanes have the same game plan for Martin Brodeur after the Devils goalie stopped 44 shots in Game 5.

"Same mentality. Go to the net and shoot pucks from everywhere," Staal said. "Hopefully some of those tips and screens will go by him instead of hitting him.”

The Hurricanes will make a change on defence in Game 6. Anton Babchuk will be back in while Frantisek Kaberle is out.

Sergei Samsonov did not skate for Carolina Sunday morning and remains questionable with a lower body injury.

"We're hopeful he'll play tonight," Maurice said. "We hope he can get through the pregame skate. He skated earlier this morning and felt pretty good."

After all the talk, this finally is do or die for Carolina.

"We've got to get it done," Staal said. "We're in our building. It's going to be a lot of fun. You can't go out there tense. You've got to be loose. We were good through the morning skate, loose and excited."

Tuomo Ruutu said: "I kind of like this situation," he said. "You can put everything on the line. We have to play like it's our last game and if we win, it's not our last game. Play our hearts out."

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