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Devils defenseman Anton Volchenkov agreed with the one-game suspension issued to Philadelphia's Brayden Schenn.

(Photo by Ed Mulholland/USA Today)

Devils goalie Martin Brodeur said he didn't embellish the goalie interference penalty called against Wayne Simmonds Tuesday night and disputes suggestions by the Flyers forward that he did.

“No. I’m on my knees and the guy hits me. He looks at me and cross-checks me," Brodeur told The Star-Ledger today. "It’s funny how he was prepared when everyone jumped at him. If I embellished it, why was he worried about getting his butt kicked?"

Simmonds was quoted as saying: "I didn't hit him too hard. I just kind of gave him a little push. I thought he over-exaggerated it. I was trying to get a little scrum going there. It worked.

"He's one of the best goalies who ever played. I think he can do whatever he wants in this league."

Brodeur said there was no acting on his part.

“For sure when they show it on super slow-motion it doesn’t look too good. Even I think that," the goalie said. "But he actually hit me right under my arm. As a goalie, I never expect to get hit, so when I do get hit, most of the time I’ll lose my balance or fall because I don’t expect people to touch me.”

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Coach Pete DeBoer tweaked his lines today, moving Mattias Tedenby up to left wing on the first line and dropped Dainius Zubrus to the second unit.



"We did that today. I'm not sure what we'll go with tomorrow, so that's definitely not in stone," DeBoer insisted.



What does he expect from Tedenby if he stays alongside Travis Zajac and Ilya Kovalchuk?



"That's the question," DeBoer said. "I guess what I'm looking for is consistency in his game. His effort is always there. You never get a B-level effort out of him. But you're looking for that consistency at both ends of the rink where a coach trusts putting you on the ice on a regular basis."



Kovalchuk said: "Teddy is an unpredictable player. He's quick, fun to play with. I played a little with him and J.J. (Jacob Josefson) last year and I think we did pretty good. New blood is always good. He'll bring some creativity. Defensively we just have to talk and make sure we don't give up anything."



Tedenby knows this would be a good opportunity.



"Of course. Two skilled, top players. Of course it's a good thing. I'm happy to play with Kovy and Trav," he said.



Does he feel a breakout is near?



"I don't think about it,"he said. "I just try to play my best every game. I don't try to do something special. Just play easy and play my game. If I make a mark, I make a mark."

* * *

Devils defenseman Anton Volchenkov feels the the NHL got it right by suspending Flyers forward Brayden Schenn one game for his non-penalized hit during the second period Tuesday night.



"It was probably the right suspension," Volchenkov said. "At first I thought it was a pretty good body check, but after I saw it (on a replay) I saw him jump. There are rules."

Schenn was suspended after a telephone hearing with Brendan Shanahan yesterday.

* * *

Capitals coach Adam Oates has been experimenting with Alex Ovechkin at right wing. It brings to mind the Devils' moving Ilya Kovalchuk from left wing to the right side.



"Stealing our ideas," DeBoer joked. "I think moving Kovy was partially his idea here last year. A big part was his idea."



Why did the Devils move Kovy?



"When you're playing your proper side, you're back isn't to the play in all zones. You're facing the play defensively and offensively a lot more than when you're playing on your off-side.



"And this is a league where coaches find tendencies. If you do the same thing, or score from the same area year after year, eventually those things get closed down. You see it every year. (Steven) Stamkos had 25 goals on the power play 3-4 years ago and mostly from one spot. A year later you're at 12 or 15. That's what the coaching at this level does. You have to get creative with your best players and find different ways to get looks at the net."



DeBoer never considered moving Kovalchuk back to left wing.



"No. We went to the Stanley Cup Finals and he was fifth in the league in scoring. Why would we mess with that?"

DeBoer said of Oates: "I got a great deal of stuff from Oatsie last year. How we play is a combination of all the coaches we had here last year. We tweaked things throughout the year based on different opinions, whether it was Larry (Robinson), Oatsie or Dave Barr. What we ended up with, worked. I anticipate we'll see a lot of similar things (with the Capitals under Oates)."

* * *

Krys Barch skated on the fourth line in place of Cam Janssen.



"He might (play)," DeBoer said. "We've won two in a row, so any changes you make you're not going to make lightly. I still have to get to know Barch as a player. (Janssen and Barch) play similar styles. They're energy guys, good team guys and they both bring that physical element. I think they're similar players."



Barch was signed as a free agent July 10 after splitting last season with Dallas and Florida. He has 304 career NHL games, mostly with the Stars.



"I don't make assumptions but I'm in (a fourth-line jersey), I guess," Barch said. "You prepare the same way. You want to help the team continue their ways of getting two points every night.



"It is special when you play for a new team. You kind of want to start that sacrifice for the guy beside you. That's on;y experienced through time. You have to put that time in and gain your teammate's trust and the organization's trust. You don't want to get over-excited."

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