Nothing To Worry About New Jersey: Brodeur Is Not Done Yet

(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

With the 2009-10 NHL season recently starting, many questions arise in a hockey fans head.  How will Dany Heatley fit in his new home, San Jose?  Will Marion Gaborik stay healthy in New York?  Who will win the Stanley Cup?  For a Devils fan like myself, we wonder just how many years Martin Brodeur has left in goal.  Since the 1993-94 season, Marty has carried the New Jersey Devils to 3 Stanley Cups.  When the team appears to be heading south, Marty is there to pick them back up.  

At the age of 37,  some people may say that Marty's game appears to have slowed down.  In the first 5 games this season, he has allowed 15 goals.  He ranks 28th in Goals Against Average and 32nd in Save Percentage.  Both uncharacteristic statistics for Brodeur.  In the season opener, Broduer looked very weak allowing 5 goals to the hated Philadelphia Flyers. Then during a game at Tampa Bay, with the game tied at 2 in the middle of the third period, Marty let in a very weak goal to give the Lightning the lead.  Victor Hedman came down the left side and made a cross ice pass to Todd Fedoruk.  Brodeur appeared to get across in time, but Marty tried to make a fancy "stack-the-pads" save instead of just stopping the puck.  Fedoruk beat Brodeur to give the Lightning a 3-2 lead.  That lackadaisical attempt of a save almost cost the Devils the game, and a third straight loss to open the season.  The Devils did end up winning compliments to a late Travis Zajac goal.

Since that win against Tampa Bay, the Devils play has picked up.  Marty looks like the Marty we are all accustomed to.  I knew Brodeur was back when he stopped Alexander Ovechkin in a shootout win over the Washington Capitals on October 12th. That game seemed to be another disaster as the Devils fell behind 2-0 early in the first period.  Marty took his game to another level after those first two goals and the Devils won 3-2.  

For all those doubters out there, Marty is not done.  Not yet.  He can still play at a world-class level.  Last year was the first time in twelve years Brodeur did not win thirty games. That was because of injury.  He still can still get the job done.  I know when the playoffs are approaching and the going gets tough, Martin Brodeur will be there, just like he always has. 

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