CBC-Sports

Rolston taking Langenbrunner's spot on top line?

April 19, 2009 01:19 PM | Posted by   CBC Sports Staff  

Devils coach Brent Sutter was evasive after his club’s morning skate at the RBC Center.

Will Brian Rolston play right wing on the top line with Travis Zajac and Zach Parise in Game 3 against the Hurricanes?

"We're not sure what we're going to do yet," Sutter said. "Well, we know, but we're not saying. I think it's a situation where we can try different scenerios and different line combinations.

"We have to see who is going to fit on that line. You know Patty (Elias) can, but you've got to be careful taking him off that line with Brian Gionta."

Rolston said he wasn’t sure if he was a definite fill-in for Jamie Langenbrunner, who will miss the next two games with a lower body injury.

"Hypothetically I feel great about it," Rolston said with a smile. "When you get on the road there is a lot of line shuffling, but the opportunity is there.

"Is it a challenge for me? Not necessarily. I've played a lot of games. I've been in a lot of playoff games. I'm looking forward to it. I'm excited about it. I feel I can do the job."

He would be a left-handed right wing.

"I was telling Travis to get his backhand ready for passes," Rolston said. "Let's face it. Zach has carried us all year, as well as Travis. Let's be perfectly honest about that. I'm just going to go and fill in a spot and just do my best."

Parise said: "You can look at it both ways. He's on his one-timer at all times in the offensive zone.

"Rolie is a great player. We'll make it work. He's played great in this league."

Usually talkative Holik has few words

Bobby Holik is still sore about being a healthy scratch from the first two playoff games against the Carolina Hurricanes.

The big forward will play in Game 3, but he wasn’t himself after the Devils’ morning skate.

"I've never seem so many people being interested in a guy who hasn't played a game yet," he said to members of the media.

Question: Has this been hard for you?

Holik: “Ask me a better question.”

Question: Your thoughts on playing Game 3.

Holik: "I'm happy to be in the lineup."

Question: What have you seen of the first two games?

Holik: "I can't comment. When you're not playing you're not allowed to comment. It's not a rule. It's my own rule over the last many years."

Question: Do you think you can make a difference?

Holik: "I think it's a question for the coach."

Question: “Your thoughts on a playoff game in this building”

Holik: “It’s been a long time since I’ve played a playoff game here. A lot of water under the bridge.”

Question: Have you been told why you didn’t play the first two games?

Holik: "No.”

Question: Will you have to do anything differently?

Holik: “No, because I don't know what I was doing incorrectly.”

Coach Brent Sutter gave a hint.

"We'll put Bobby in there with his size," Sutter said. "Obviously we need him to be disciplined. We don't need any bad penalties.

"I hope he's fired up but I want him fired up in the right way. We need discipline. I don't want any bad penalties. He's been itching to get playing here."

Sutter said he was deciding between using 12 forwards, with Holik, or seven defencemen.

" Previous Post | Main
  •