In a season that saw the backbone of their organization get hurt just 10 games into the regular season, the New Jersey Devils have quieted the critics who ended their season with the injury to goalie Martin Brodeur, including me. 

But can you blame us?  The future first-ballot Hall-of-Famer backboned the Devils to three Stanley Cup championships in eight seasons.  

Brodeur is top 10 in every statistical category for goaltenders in NHL history and is just 13 wins shy of matching Patrick Roy's 551 career wins.  If he returns, he could very well break Roy's mark by the end of this season. 

Through it all, the Devils have not skipped a beat.  At the All-Star break, they hold a one-point lead over the New York Rangers for the Atlantic Division lead. 

The reason?  Scott Clemmensen.  Prior to this season, he had started a total of 28 games over the course of his NHL career.  He has already started 30 of New Jersey's 47 games this season. 

In 30 games, Clemmensen has posted a 19-9 record with a 2.58 goals against and a .908 save percentage.  He is a big reason as to why the Devils find themselves in the midst of a playoff race with just the second half of the season remaining. 

The Devils are currently riding a five-game winning streak with their latest victim being the very-tough Montreal Canadians.  They open up the second half by facing off against the struggling Ottawa Senators. 

With the acquisition of forward Brendan Shanahan and return of Brodeur, it's safe to say the Devils won't be going away anytime soon.