TAMPA – The Devils began a major experiment last night: trying to get along without John Madden.
On a team with just enough of everything forward-related, every injury matters. The February loss of Sergei Brylin, who has finally had the cast removed from his broken wrist, coincided precisely with the end of the Devils’ great 12-0-1-1 point streak, which vaulted them into the Atlantic lead.
It was “only” a groin pull that sidelined Madden against the Lightning here last night, an injury Madden termed “day-to-day,” but the Devils will have to be especially careful with their 2001 Selke Trophy winner, whose team-best Ironman streak ended at 189 games last night.
While Madden sat out, and may again tonight in Atlanta, the Devils planned to replace him with Pascal Rheaume, the center they reacquired Feb. 24 from the Thrashers for a conditional draft pick. They felt they had insured themselves against just such difficulty.
“That what these last-minute moves sometimes do,” Pat Burns said.
Rheaume brought a three-game point streak into last night, when he was expected to skate with Turner Stevenson and Jay Pandolfo, Madden’s frequent checking linemates. He had been playing the fourth line with Jim McKenzie and Jiri Bicek.
“It will be totally different, playing 17 minutes instead of 10 minutes,” said Rheaume. “I’ve played like that in the past. I’ll be ready.”
Rheaume was expected to face Vincent Lecavalier, who had four goals in two games, giving him 31 this season. Lecavalier moved past Brian Bradley for the franchise record with his 112th career goal, scoring in Monday’s 4-1 victory in San Jose.
“It will be a good challenge,” said Rheaume, whose sister, Manon, became the first woman goalie to play in a professional game in the minors several years ago.
Pascal Rheaume was originally signed undrafted by the Devils in 1993, spending four years in the system, playing two NHL games, before being claimed by St. Louis in the 1997 waiver draft. He spent two full seasons with the Blues before major shoulder surgery set him back for two years. Rheaume was signed as a free agent by the Blackhawks July 31, 2001 and claimed on waivers by the Thrashers that November.
Rheaume was 3-1-4 and plus-3 in 14 games with New Jersey after going 4-9-13 and minus-8 in 58 games with Atlanta this season.
Madden is the Devils’ most-used forward this season, averaging 18:19 in ice time, posting 19 goals and 41 points, carrying the Devils in the early months of the season. He stands plus-14 despite facing opponents’ top centers. He has two power play goals in scant action there, and two shorthanders. Rheaume has three SHGs, one with New Jersey.
While the Devils were seeking their fifth straight victory, which would be their second-longest of the season, and were hoping for the chance to match their six-game season best tonight, the Lightning were returning home after clinching their first playoff berth since 1996.
Tampa returned with an unbeaten streak of nine (6-0-3), longest current in the league and best in team history, while Nikolai Khabibulin was unbeaten in 13 (11-0-2).
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With backup goalie Corey Schwab suffering a shoulder bruise, Devils recalled Scott Clemmensen from Albany on an emergency basis . . . Devils play host to Isles Sunday afternoon, Maple Leafs Tuesday and Bruins Thursday in home finale.
