Zubrus_Hindash.jpg

Dainius Zubrus will miss his second game with an upper body injury.

(Photo by Saed Hindash/The Star-Ledger)

Rookie Stefan Matteau's big break to remain with the Devils may have been triggered by the uncertain status of veteran forward Dainius Zubrus.

Zubrus, who will miss his second straight game today and will not play in Pittsburgh tomorrow night, is suffering from an upper body injury that has club officials concerned for the long term. Although team officials will not comment on the problem, Zubrus is being treated with medication.

While the first-line left winger is considered day-to-day, he may seek an outside opinion to find out whether a different approach, such as surgery, might be necessary. Zubrus is in the final year of his contract and it could be detrimental for him financially to play through the problem all season.

Zubrus played in Tuesday night's victory over the Rangers but has not practiced since and sat out Thursday night's home win over the Lightning.

With the organization thin on experienced forwards, general manager Lou Lamoriello acquired Andrei Loktionov this week for a fifth-round draft pick in a trade with the Los Angeles Kings. The GM also said he is moving closer to a decision on whether to sign free agent Mathieu Darche.

Coach Pete DeBoer said he wasn't sure if Zubrus would accompany the team to Pittsburgh, but that seemed highly unlikely.

"I don't know the travel plans," DeBoer said. "I know he's not playing (tomorrow night)."

* * *

There will be no lineup changes for the Devils today from Thursday night's game.

Coach Pete DeBoer was asked about facing the Penguins one week later.

"I think it's good in that it's fresh in your mind what worked and what didn't work. Particularly for us what didn't work last game and what we have to correct," DeBoer said. "Now the job is to go out and execute and make sure we don't make the same mistakes."

The Penguins are an offensive force.

"We played a similar team in Tampa, which leading the league in scoring as a team," he said. "A lot of speed, a lot of transition speed. You have to find a way to slow them down and make it tough on them. I think we did a good job against Tampa.

"Part of that is staying out of the penalty box. The other part is checking as a five-man unit in all three zones. You can't let up in any zone or give this team any room anywhere on the ice or they'll make you pay for it."

* * *

Snow-plowing and salting was underway around Prudential Center in anticipation of today's 1 p.m. game between the Devils and Penguins. Most roads in the area were in very good condition.

Rich Chere: rchere@starledger.com; twitter.com/Ledger_NJDevils