The Devils gained what they had aplenty, and lost what they needed most.
Two weeks after they acquired Viktor Kozlov, the 6-5 center finally was to make his Devils debut when they visited the Garden last night. Meanwhile, they had to contend with the absence of the third of their top four defensemen when Colin White joined Scott Stevens and Brian Rafalski on the sidelines.
Making his first appearance since suffering a Feb. 14 concussion, Kozlov was to center Sergei Brylin and Jeff Friesen last night, while Igor Larionov and Eric Rasmussen sat out as available scratches.
Kozlov said he decided Sunday morning “when I woke up” that he was ready to play, after complaining of headaches and other post-concussion symptoms in the days preceding and following his March 1 trade to New Jersey.
“I feel good, no symptoms, nothing,” said the 29-year-old. “It just feels clear when you get on the ice.”
Kozlov, acquired from Florida for Christian Berglund and minor-league defenseman Victor Uchevatov, had 11 goals and 27 points in 48 games this season for the Panthers.
White was sidelined with a stiff neck that has haunted him before, and while it isn’t regarded as serious or long-term, it highlighted the Devils’ lack of depth on defense.
“I’ve had it before and I’ll get it again,” White said. “I can’t remember any particular play that caused it, but it stiffened up in the first period [in 2-1 loss in Philly Saturday]. It’s a little better today than it was yesterday.”
With White out, Ray Giroux, who spent 11 games with the Devils last season, made his season debut.
“I feel ready. It’s not my first game ever, but it’s exciting,” Giroux said. “Going into Madison Square Garden against the Rangers is the best circumstance to go in.”
Giroux led Albany’s defensemen at 11-17-28 this year after going 11-38-49 there last season, when he was selected to the AHL’s first All-Star team from a last-place River Rats squad.
Giroux never seemed to impress the current Devils’ coaching staff, though, and wasn’t recalled from Albany until March 11.
“I don’t have any choice. We only have six defensemen that are healthy,” said Pat Burns, who was left with Scott Niedermayer as his lone top-four backliner in the lineup. Tommy Albelin, Paul Martin, David Hale and Sean Brown were the other Devils defenders.
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Sources say Larionov nearly went back to the Red Wings at the trade deadline, but Detroit finally decided against making a deal.
