FLA VS NJDPanthers need more than special teams

 

 
Florida coach Kevin Dineen was not happy with the quality of ice at the morning skate Tuesday before Game 3.

 

"If the quality of ice is anything like it was this morning at the skate, I think their customer service probably will be pretty embarrassed to see that's what they are putting out there for people to see," he said.  "It made for a pretty sloppy morning. 

"If the ice is anything like it was this morning, it will make for a very sloppy game.  No fun for the fans. A lot of water out there."

 

With forward Wojtek Wolski remaining out for extra work following the skate, it would appear he was being replaced in the Panthers' lineup with Jerred Smithson.

 

"[Smithson] has given us some good minutes since he has been here," said Dineen. 

"Everybody talks about adversity but we ran into some amazing injuries situation early, I think we had eight callups from San Antonio at one time. When you get healthy, you have quality options."

 

 

The commonly-held belief -- reconfirmed when the Panthers cashed two power plays to none for the Devils and won Game 2 -- is that the only way for Florida to win this series is on special teams. But that's a fight Dineen insists he does not want to pick.  

 

"I would love to have [Devils' coach Peter DeBoer's] penalty kill," said Dineen.  "We have played two games, but you look over 82 that Devils power play has not only been effective but also dangerous.  

 

"We know they have quality special teams on both sides, some of the most talented players in the world. I will compare [Ilya] Kovalchuk to [Steve] Stamkos, not only in their setup, but how effective they are. 

 

"There are a lot of people frothing at the bit [over Parise's upcoming unrestricted free agency]. He is a world-class player. I would not like to get into special team vs. special team game, they have a heckuva squad. We need a more well rounded game, can't rely on special teams to win us every game."

 

 

The Devils, 3-7 in three fast post-season exits since moving to the Prudential Center, are still looking for a first big moment at their home arena.

 

"We need to win a series," said Marty Brodeur. "These fans have been waiting. It hasn't been easy for us as of late. We created a lot of good moments at The Continental (Airlines Arena) but its important to start creating some stuff here."

 

 

Devils, unlike their past custom, slept in their own beds Monday night, and will only be herded into a hotel only following the morning skates for the games in Newark.

"We just came from spending five days together," said Brodeur.  "If it hasn't jelled yet it isn't jelling. 

 

"We have seen each other for 82 games, and went on the road for five days. It's kind of nice to stay away from each other for a little bit and be happy to see each other again."

 

Asked which teammate he most enjoys getting away from, Brodeur smiled in the direction of David Clarkson, with whom he has had a fake feud for years.

 

"Everybody knows who," said Brodeur. 

 

"He's an idiot," Clarkson said with a smile.  "But I need some time to think of a reply to that."

 

 

When asked if this series -- devoid of any fights or remotely suspendable actions through two games -- was proving that things don't have to get ugly for them to be intense, Clarkson said:  "I like the fights."

 

 

Parise-Zajac-Kovalchuk

Sykora-Elias-Zubrus

Ponikarovsky-Henrique-Clarkson

Carter-Gionta-Bernier

Greene-Fayne

Salvador-Zidlicky

Vochenkov-Harrold

Brodeur

Fleischmann-Weiss-Versteeg

Bergenheim-Goc-Samuelsson

Upshall-Mathias-Smithson

Sturm-Madden-Kopecky

 

Garrison-Campbell

Kulikov-Weaver

Jovanaovki-Gudbranson

Theodore

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