Despite playing very well when given the opportunity, Johan Hedberg has not received the minutes he deserves over the second half of the season. With that said, he will start tomorrow against the Islanders as the Devils prepare themselves for the post-season. Here are some notes on that, among other Devils related topics.
- First off, I think Pete DeBoer is making the right decision by starting Johan Hedberg tomorrow. It's good to get him warmed up and ready just in case his services are needed come playoff time whether Martin Brodeur struggles, suffers an injury, etc. The Devils have three games left so by starting Hedberg the Devils can keep the rust off him, and allow Brodeur to start the final two games to get a groove going. When you factor in how good Johan Hedberg has been this season, the decision seems even better.
- While I understand the logic behind scratching Adam Larsson for a few games due to his recent struggles, I really believe he should be back in the lineup tomorrow, even if it's just for one game. The Devils are all but locked at the 6-spot so it doesn't really matter if they win or not. They just want to play well and have everything sorted out for the playoffs.
Larsson is obviously a young player and though he's not complaining, he's obviously very disappointed and upset that he has to sit out all these games right before the playoffs. I think he's sat enough to see what needs to be done when he returns to the lineup, and I believe he should be back in tomorrow to see if he can make the proper adjustments. If not for anything else, it will get the rust off of him for the playoffs.
Peter Harrold is not a bad defenseman, but he's streaky and when he's off he can struggle for two, three, even four plus games. The Devils can't afford for that to happen come playoff time, so put Larsson in the lineup tomorrow, get the rust off him and if not for anything else, get him ready to replace Harrold or another Devils defenseman if they struggle in just over a week.
That's my two cents. I'd love to hear what all of you think regarding the situation.
- One thing I've noticed about Anton Volchenkov throughout the season: he doesn't play a lot of minutes, he just plays tough minutes. He's averaging about 18:30 this season, so it's obvious that DeBoer doesn't use him a lot when he doesn't need to. Volchenkov, as everybody knows, gives it his all every shift and he'll get down to block a shot in a 4-0 game in favor of New Jersey. It's just the kind of player he is. I think DeBoer has been protecting him throughout the season, and I think that his minutes will increase a little bit next week when the Devils take on the Florida Panthers or Washington Capitals.
- My last note for today: Scott Wedgewood stopped 35 of 36 yesterday in a 2-1 Plymouth win over Guelph in overtime. The Whalers took the series in six games, winning four straight games to do so. They'll be playing the Kitchener Rangers, who Pete DeBoer coached for many years, in the next round.
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