Injury update

According to numerous reports, here is an update on the injury situation before tonight's game against the New York Islanders.

After missing five games with a groin injury, Captain Patrick Elias is returning tonight. After skating with some of his teammates on Sunday and Monday, he declared himself ready to go.

Erik Rasmussen, who missed the last two games with a right shoulder injury practiced on Monday and looked like he would play. Being the team player he is not sure he will return tonight since he doesn't want to be a liability. He wants to make sure he can play his physical game if he plays.

Brian Gionta practiced on Monday and has been skating for a few days now. Since he was put on retroactive injury reserve, he can not come back until April 1. That would be Sunday against the Bruins.

Although John Madden skated for the second consecutive day, he isn't ready to return just yet.

After feeling sick all day on Saturday and leaving the game in the second period of the shootout win against the Panthers, Jamie Langenbrunner is still feeling ill. He made the trip to the Island and could play although it is not sure.

The Devils could get two players back tonight (Elias and Rasmussen). Gionta looks to be on the right path. Madden seems a little far away but the fact he started skating is encouraging. Hopefully Langenbrunner will get better soon. We definitely need the ZZ Pop line going (I like that nickname!).

The regular season ends April 8 for the Devils and the playoffs start April 11, two weeks from now. It gives every injured players time to heal. One can only hope the players who have been out for a few games (Elias and Gionta) will come back energized from the time off. Let's start the remaining two weeks with a strong performance tonight. And please, don't you try anything silly during these two weeks. Enough injuries already! It is definitely time to get in the playoff mode. So keep your heads up, no fighting, be safe out there! WIN!