Clemmensen ready, excited for Game 6 start

NEWARK, N.J. -- Scott Clemmensen said he's ready and excited to get the start in the Panthers' net Tuesday as they try to close out the Devils in Game 6 at Prudential Center.

"It's an opportunity to get re-engaged in the series, to contribute to the team," Clemmensen said. "I'm going to be ready and do everything I can to get the win."

However, Panthers coach Kevin Dineen wouldn't rule out the possibility that Jose Theodore could still play despite missing the morning skate with an undisclosed injury. Jacob Markstrom was called up from the American Hockey League and was the second goalie on the ice Tuesday morning.

"We decided to give Theo the morning off and see where he's at tonight," Dineen said. "He's a little bit tender right now so we'll evaluate as the day moves on see if he's ready to play tonight or not. We'll always try to lean toward the side of precaution if there is something that somebody is a little bit tender with. We felt we needed an extra backup and that's why you see Jake out there."

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If Clemmensen does get the start (he was told on Monday to be ready), he won't have to shed any rust. He got the win in relief of Theodore in Game 3 and got the start in Game 4, but allowed four goals on 27 shots in a losing effort. Both games were here at Prudential Center.

"It's not like I've been on the bench for three weeks now," Clemmensen said. "I've been playing pretty regularly. I'm still there. My game is still right there. I don't anticipate there being any rust."

Neither do his teammates.

"Yeah, that's huge," Panthers center Stephen Weiss said when asked how important it is that Clemmensen has already played in this series. "Even if he hadn't, Clem has been around a while and he's been in this position his whole career, where he's going to get the nod at some point and he's always ready to go. We are not concerned about Clemmer. He is going to come in and do the job that he has done for us all year."

Clemmensen, who was 14-6-6 with a 2.57 goals-against average over 30 appearances in the regular season, has only appeared in three Stanley Cup Playoff games in his career and has never played in a potential elimination game. However, he was 4-0 in elimination games with the Toronto Marlies in the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs.

"Obviously it's a different level," Clemmensen said. "I do have a limited amount of experience, obviously, but I just played two games last week in this building. I've played against this team, I know this team. I'm expecting a very tough game.

"Two days ago I wasn't expecting to get this start, but as it happens, I'll be ready."

Follow Dan Rosen on Twitter at: @drosennhl