MadDevil
12-29-05, 2:33 AM
Elias nearing point of return
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
BY RICH CHERE
Star-Ledger Staff
The Devils did not get a new head coach yesterday, but they may have found a cure for their abysmal power play.
Concentrating on the power play during practice at Codey Arena in West Orange, GM/interim coach Lou Lamoriello used left winger Patrik Elias at the right point in an effort to get some quality shots on net. The only catch is that Elias, battling back from hepatitis A, is not yet ready to play.
"No. Not yet," Lamoriello said. "He certainly has a presence out there. He'll be day by day."
The team's leading scorer in each of the past five seasons, Elias does have a presence the Devils are lacking. In fact, more than a few of his teammates feel he should be named captain the day he decides he is ready to play.
As for playing the point on the power play, which is 4-for-100 over the Devils' past 14 games, Elias quipped: "Good. I'll have a spot when I'm ready."
It is possible that Elias will play his first game of the season either tomorrow night in Pittsburgh or New Year's Eve at home against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He will not play tonight at Continental Airlines Arena against the Washington Capitals, who happen to be one of only three NHL teams with a worse power play percentage than the Devils. The other two are the Blackhawks and Blue Jackets.
"It's just a matter of confidence right now," Elias said of the power play. "You have to try to keep it as simple as possible. We're in front, but we're not in front of the goalie. We're on the side. Their (goalie) equipment is smaller, but those guys are pretty good. They still make the save when they see the puck."
As for his own timetable, Elias said: "I'm not going to be much of a help if I don't do well enough. When I feel comfortable I can help this team, I'll be out there."
He said he would be willing to play a few games in the minors for Albany (AHL) just for conditioning, but the Devils had better think twice about that. Some overzealous minor-leaguer might view Elias as a prize target.
"I have no problem with that," Elias said. "But it doesn't matter if you play 5-10 minutes here or 5-10 minutes there. You've got a better chance of getting injured there."
Sounds like he could be back very soon. I'm hoping he can put some more jump in this team offensively. Hopefully they can take advantage of beating up on the Caps (and scoring 3 PP goals), and carry that through the weekend.
There's some light at the end of the tunnel now.:thumb:
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
BY RICH CHERE
Star-Ledger Staff
The Devils did not get a new head coach yesterday, but they may have found a cure for their abysmal power play.
Concentrating on the power play during practice at Codey Arena in West Orange, GM/interim coach Lou Lamoriello used left winger Patrik Elias at the right point in an effort to get some quality shots on net. The only catch is that Elias, battling back from hepatitis A, is not yet ready to play.
"No. Not yet," Lamoriello said. "He certainly has a presence out there. He'll be day by day."
The team's leading scorer in each of the past five seasons, Elias does have a presence the Devils are lacking. In fact, more than a few of his teammates feel he should be named captain the day he decides he is ready to play.
As for playing the point on the power play, which is 4-for-100 over the Devils' past 14 games, Elias quipped: "Good. I'll have a spot when I'm ready."
It is possible that Elias will play his first game of the season either tomorrow night in Pittsburgh or New Year's Eve at home against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He will not play tonight at Continental Airlines Arena against the Washington Capitals, who happen to be one of only three NHL teams with a worse power play percentage than the Devils. The other two are the Blackhawks and Blue Jackets.
"It's just a matter of confidence right now," Elias said of the power play. "You have to try to keep it as simple as possible. We're in front, but we're not in front of the goalie. We're on the side. Their (goalie) equipment is smaller, but those guys are pretty good. They still make the save when they see the puck."
As for his own timetable, Elias said: "I'm not going to be much of a help if I don't do well enough. When I feel comfortable I can help this team, I'll be out there."
He said he would be willing to play a few games in the minors for Albany (AHL) just for conditioning, but the Devils had better think twice about that. Some overzealous minor-leaguer might view Elias as a prize target.
"I have no problem with that," Elias said. "But it doesn't matter if you play 5-10 minutes here or 5-10 minutes there. You've got a better chance of getting injured there."
Sounds like he could be back very soon. I'm hoping he can put some more jump in this team offensively. Hopefully they can take advantage of beating up on the Caps (and scoring 3 PP goals), and carry that through the weekend.
There's some light at the end of the tunnel now.:thumb: