Larionov hurt in practice; Rupp to play

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WEST ORANGE - The Devils' four-day layoff was nearly over. Maybe 10 or 15 minutes of practice remained before they could finally look forward to tonight's banner-raising ceremony and the home opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Then, disaster nearly struck.

During a drill stressing down-low defensive zone coverage Wednesday morning, center Igor Larionov got tangled up with defenseman Colin White and went down behind the net. Larionov couldn't get up and was slumped forward as he was carried off the ice. He put no weight on his left leg as he was helped to the locker room.
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Goes on to quote the Devs saying he is "fine," but Rupp will take Larionov's spot at center if he can't go tonight, and will be on Rasmussen's left if he can.

Nice to see Rupp get a shot. Would have liked him to take Rasmussen's spot, but since Larionov is hurt, so be it.

Burns was right on when he said things have funny ways of working out with regards to healthy scratches getting called into active duty. Good game to have Rupp back in the lineup tonight against a physical Leafs team. I bet he's stoked to watch the banner raising knowing he'll get his chance to put an exclamation point in his first reg. season game this year as opposed to watching from the press box. Watch for 3 or 4 big hits from him if not more.