Larsson, Carter miss practice, out for Saturday
February, 3, 2012
Feb 3
4:46
PM ET
By
Katie Strang | ESPNNewYork.com
Both defenseman Adam Larsson (back) and forward Ryan Carter (hand) missed practice Friday. Neither player will play Saturday against the Flyers.
Larsson left Thursday's 5-3 win over the Canadiens in the third period with what the Devils called a "bruised lower back" after sustaining a devastating (but clean) hit from Montreal's P.K. Subban.
An X-ray and MRI for Larsson both came back clear, according to the Devils.
Carter has a "sore hand," and is considered "day-to-day."
• • •
Adam Henrique, who has missed two straight games with a groin injury, skated Friday morning before Devils practice.
DeBoer said the rookie center is getting "a lot closer," but will not be available Saturday.
DeBoer did not rule out either Larsson or Henrique for Sunday's game against Pittsburgh, although is seems unlikely either will play.
• • •
Without Larsson, Carter, and Henrique, the Devils are discussing call-up options from the team's AHL affiliate in Albany.
Defenseman Bryce Salvador played through a minor ankle injury the past two games, forcing the Devils to dress seven defensemen Thursday night.
• • •
DeBoer said he plans on keeping the line of Zach Parise, Patrik Elias, and Ilya Kovalchuk together Saturday, at least to start.
The trio played together in the third period Thursday and helped the Devils complete their comeback effort against the Habs with the team's game-winning goal.
"I thought they gave us a spark," said DeBoer, who has had to shuffle personnel to accommodate the team's void at center. "They are our three best offensive players. I don't think it's a perfect situation to have them all together, but it's been working so we'll go with that."
Larsson left Thursday's 5-3 win over the Canadiens in the third period with what the Devils called a "bruised lower back" after sustaining a devastating (but clean) hit from Montreal's P.K. Subban.
An X-ray and MRI for Larsson both came back clear, according to the Devils.
Carter has a "sore hand," and is considered "day-to-day."
DeBoer said the rookie center is getting "a lot closer," but will not be available Saturday.
DeBoer did not rule out either Larsson or Henrique for Sunday's game against Pittsburgh, although is seems unlikely either will play.
Without Larsson, Carter, and Henrique, the Devils are discussing call-up options from the team's AHL affiliate in Albany.
Defenseman Bryce Salvador played through a minor ankle injury the past two games, forcing the Devils to dress seven defensemen Thursday night.
DeBoer said he plans on keeping the line of Zach Parise, Patrik Elias, and Ilya Kovalchuk together Saturday, at least to start.
The trio played together in the third period Thursday and helped the Devils complete their comeback effort against the Habs with the team's game-winning goal.
"I thought they gave us a spark," said DeBoer, who has had to shuffle personnel to accommodate the team's void at center. "They are our three best offensive players. I don't think it's a perfect situation to have them all together, but it's been working so we'll go with that."
Katie Strang
ESPNNewYork.comKatie Strang covers the Rangers, Islanders and Devils for ESPNNewYork.com. She is a graduate of Michigan State University and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Katie Strang
After spending the past two seasons as the Islanders beat writer for Newsday, Katie Strang joins ESPNNewYork.com to cover the Rangers, Isles and Devils. She is a graduate of Michigan State University and Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism.
Mike Hume
Mike Hume is a general editor for ESPN Insider, for which he coordinates NHL coverage, including the NHL Draft Blog. He has followed hockey since The Whale skated at the Civvy, and has covered the sport since 2004.
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