Although Patrik Elias was able to do what was termed a light skate yesterday, the Devil wing will be out again for tonight’s game against the Maple Leafs (7:00, MSG+2, WFAN).
Elias, who’s suffering from a groin injury, hasn’t played since March 30, so tonight will mark his fourth straight missed game.
Coach Brent Sutter believes Elias is getting better, insisting he’s confident that when Elias does return, he won’t be limited physically. But it’s still questionable whether Elias will be back before the regular season ends this weekend, with Sutter saying “only if he’s where he needs to be.”
In Elias’ stead, Brian Rolston has filled in on the line. Asked yesterday where he sees Rolston sliding in once Elias gets back, Sutter replied, “Let’s see where Patty’s at. Maybe we’ve got to see where Patty’s going to slide into. And I don’t mean that in a negative way. I’m just saying depending on where his health is. Let’s get him healthy and then we’ll make those decisions moving forward.”
Sutter also said not to expect him to rest players in the season’s final three games heading into the playoffs, saying he’s “not a big fan of that myself. ‘Cause I think you lose some edge to that. Especially when we’re trying to get it back now in our game.”
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The MRI for Kevin Weekes (knee) revealed he won’t need surgery. He’s slated to be out 2-3 weeks . . . Niclas Havelid (charley horse) also had a light skate yesterday but is out tonight.