Rangers/Devils: Avery Meets Brodeur With Six Games Left In Stretch Run

(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The first game between the New York Rangers and the New Jersey Devils, with Sean Avery facing Martin Brodeur, will be on Monday at Madison Square Garden. It will be their first meeting since the playoffs last season, which resulted in "The Avery Rule".

Since then, Brodeur has become the all-time wins leader for goaltenders in NHL history, and Avery has battled other devils.

These devils have been more personal.

He was suspended by the NHL, dumped by the Dallas Stars, sent to Anger Management and made a comeback via the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL.

Since Avery rejoined the Rangers at the NHL Trade Deadline, and they added Nik Antropov, Derek Morris, and coach John Tortorella, the team turned around a long mid-season slump, winning seven of ten games.

They were out of the playoff picture, but have climbed back up to sixth place.

Brodeur underwent elbow surgery, but came back to lead the Devils again. They are in second place in the Eastern Conference, and could wind up in first by the end of the regular season.

Since his return Avery has turned into less of a pest, and more of a scorer, with four goals and two assists in eleven games.

Since his return, Brodeur eclipsed Patrick Roy's win record and came close to Terry Shawchuk's shut-out record.

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