NJayDevil Posted May 13, 2003 Share Posted May 13, 2003 Shuffling defencemen Daneyko, Tverdovsky to sit for Game 2 versus Ottawa Canadian Press ADVERTISEMENT OTTAWA, ON The New Jersey Devils, looking for solutions to counter the Ottawa Senators' skilled attack, said they would make two changes on defence for Game 2 of the NHL Eastern Conference series. Veteran Ken Daneyko and Oleg Tverdovsky were told they were out of the lineup while Richard Smehlik and Tommy Albelin were to dress for the game. The Devils and Senators meet in the second game of the best-of-seven series Tuesday night (CBC, 8 p.m. EDT). It was tough news for the 39-year-old Daneyko, who ended a streak of 165 consecutive playoff games when he was scratched from Game 4 of the Devils' first-round series against Boston. "I knew coming in that I'm at that stage where it might happen," said Daneyko. "I'm disappointed, but we're at the stage now where the most important thing is to win. "I'm realistic. I understand. Does it hurt? Yeah. Does it catch you off guard? Yeah. But it's the coaches' decision and I've got to accept it." Daneyko and Tverdovsky were on the ice for the Ottawa's second goal in a 3-2 overtime victory for the Sens in the series opener Saturday night. Tverdovsky, perhaps rusty from sitting out the last two games of the second round against Tampa Bay, had a particularly rough game and was caught out of position on Shaun Van Allen's overtime winner. Albelin had appeared in three previous post-season games this year and Smehlik one. "It's difficult to watch games, but it's the coaches' decision and you have to live with that," said Smehlik, whose only previous appearance was in place of Daneyko against Boston. "It's always a challenge when you haven't played in a couple of weeks and everybody else is in game condition." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smelly Posted May 13, 2003 Share Posted May 13, 2003 Tommy for Tivo is fine with me; I'm a little worried that Smhelik hasn't played in such a long time -- I hope he's not in for a rude awakening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weekes Head Posted May 13, 2003 Share Posted May 13, 2003 Crap. Smehlik is playing? We are surely doomed. However, if Tver is sitting, then we might not be doomed. Hmm...I'M ALL CONFUSED NOW!!!!! ARE WE DOOMED OR NOT?!??! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Risky Posted May 13, 2003 Share Posted May 13, 2003 Very worried. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJDevs4978 Posted May 13, 2003 Share Posted May 13, 2003 Burns is throwing out the baby with the bathwater IMO. I dislike TiVo and Smellnik but what possible reason could there be for playing Smellnik over TiVo (not to mention Dano); not only is he every bit as bad defensively he doesn't have any speed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triumph Posted May 13, 2003 Share Posted May 13, 2003 I know this will be unpopular, but I like this move. I don't like Smehlik Daneyko or Smehlik Tverdovsky.. neither has succeeded.. But I think Smehlik Albelin can work. Of those four guys, Albelin is the best puckmover, and Smehlik's long reach makes up for his lack of mobility.. They should get no more than 8 minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueNJ97 Posted May 13, 2003 Share Posted May 13, 2003 I have no objection to Albelin over Tivo. But Stinky over Dano makes no sense to me - he was horrible in the few regular season games & one playoff game he played for the Devs. Hey Pat - you asked the world (on another topic) if we really thought you were "that stupid". I said no at the time. Now that is on hold until I see the game tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundstrom Posted May 13, 2003 Share Posted May 13, 2003 A loss tonight proves this to be a bad move, no matter how that loss comes. The fact that these two will only see 8-11 minutes leads to the other 4 defenseman playing that many more minutes. Alby is fine. Shmelik has proven to be unable to work with this team. Especially on the road, this pairing will be exploited by the Sens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redruM Posted May 13, 2003 Share Posted May 13, 2003 Albelien is bad..Shmelik just SUCKS!!!!! Try Albs & Giroux Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westcoastdevfan Posted May 13, 2003 Share Posted May 13, 2003 My good feeling about this game is starting to slip away! I hope this doesn't blow up in Burns face. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHofSec234 Posted May 13, 2003 Share Posted May 13, 2003 Smehlik?? Burnsy, for God sakes, wake up, man. Geez, I hope to be proven wrong, but Smehlik is a waste. I can skate faster than him and I haven't been on skates since I was 13 (a LONG time ago). What is Burnsy thinking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puck Posted May 13, 2003 Share Posted May 13, 2003 Not Tommy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBT Posted May 13, 2003 Share Posted May 13, 2003 Trust Burns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ice dog Posted May 13, 2003 Share Posted May 13, 2003 Smelly brings back bad memories of that clown odonnell in 2001... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msweet Posted May 13, 2003 Share Posted May 13, 2003 Ok guys....I've been reading the Devil's quotes about playing teh Sens and game 2 and the defensive pairings, etc...... This tells me Burns doesn't think we can win the way we are. This is a bit of desperation. "It's difficult to watch games, but it's the coaches' decision and you have to live with that," said Smehlik, whose only previous appearance was in place of Daneyko against Boston."It's always a challenge when you haven't played in a couple of weeks and everybody else is in game condition." That sounds like a guy who is really confident.....Not The guy most likely not to make a huge mistake is Dano. He should play. Tvo lost his offensive game and turns the puck over. Smehlik just sucks. What is Burns thinking. Like I suggested before, and Red reiterated here, play Giroux and Albelein or Giroux and Dano. Why do I think we're in trouble? Is Ottawa shuffling their defensive pairs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepperkorn Posted May 13, 2003 Share Posted May 13, 2003 Smellick...I dunno...I really don't know... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'7' Posted May 13, 2003 Share Posted May 13, 2003 here's a crazy idea, how about benching Gionta and playing Tverdovsky on the wing? Smehlik has looked bad, but the guy is a playoff tested vet and I believe he'll do a decent job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msweet Posted May 13, 2003 Share Posted May 13, 2003 here's a crazy idea, how about benching Gionta and playing Tverdovsky on the wing? How would that help the defensive parings? It would allow us to try different combinations on "D" to see what works best. Gionta is due! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vadvlfan Posted May 13, 2003 Share Posted May 13, 2003 Oh, this is just great. Although Tommy rushes the puck well outa his own end, he is a defensive nightmare. Smehlik?? A big guy who doesnt knowwhether to sh!t or go blind. They talk about TVO being rusty?? Rust never sleeps. I think Tvo should be there. Dano is too slow, vulnerable. Wonder if Gionta will sit in favor Bicek?? God I hope we win tonight. Vince Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triumph Posted May 13, 2003 Share Posted May 13, 2003 I want T-vo in there, but I think this is the second best combo.. I like Albelin's puck movement and I like Smehlik's ability to keep the play to the outside.. I think off the rush this pairing will be much better, but in the defensive zone they may have trouble on the cycle and in front.. but they will be better at clearing the puck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weekes Head Posted May 13, 2003 Share Posted May 13, 2003 I have a question for you guys who are making Albelin seem like an awful choice: have you seen a single Devils game this year that he has played in? He has been a sound, solid defenseman all season, and he has really stepped up. When I see judgements being made that he is horrible, I just shake my head and think that some people are stuck in last season (yes, when he was horrible, and I was the biggest Anti-Albelin fan)... I'd much rather have Albelin over Tver right now. However, Smehlik over Dano doesn't sit well with me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'7' Posted May 13, 2003 Share Posted May 13, 2003 I know, Gionta is due and I hope the little guy gets a goal soon. But by putting Tverdovsky on the wing, you at least show a little bit of faith in the guy. We'll need him to come back strong for us in this series. plus we'll have him for the PP (assuming we get one <_<) and he can step in on D in case one of the guys gets hurt or Albelin & Smehlik just plain suck. this has been a lost season for Tverdovsky, but we'll still need him in the series so it's important he stays mentally sharp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devils101 Posted May 13, 2003 Share Posted May 13, 2003 I like Dano, but the guys played 2 seasons too many, he's too slow to play against Ottawa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triumph Posted May 13, 2003 Share Posted May 13, 2003 Stays mentally sharp? Guy was about as sharp as a hockey puck in Game 1. Tverdovsky doesn't belong on the wing. He belongs on defense or in the press box. We do need him for this series. I don't think we can win with Smehlik and Albelin. But I think we can win Game 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SC Devs Fan Posted May 13, 2003 Share Posted May 13, 2003 Boy Burns has opened himself up for some second guessing here. Let's give him enough rope to hang himself and see what happens tonight. If he had any faith in Smehlik then why hasn't he played yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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