Kings vs. Devils: Martin Brodeur Will Keep LA from Hoisting Cup in New Jersey

Martin Brodeur has certainly had his high and low points during his 18-year NHL career. The 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs have provided both, but he'll need to be outstanding to keep the LA Kings from improving on their NHL-record 10-0 playoff road record.

Brodeur and his team were in dire straits following a 4-0 loss in Game 3. They responded with a 3-1 win.

Should New Jersey do the same in the next three games they'd be just the second team to recover from a 3-0 hole in the Stanley Cup Finals.

The Toronto Maple Leafs accomplished the comeback in 1942, beating the Detroit Red Wings.

New Jersey Devils coach Peter DeBoer believes his team is just the squad to do it. Just a year after missing the playoffs, he believes the Devils can be just the third team since 1942 to rebound from an 0-3 playoff deficit.

"You know it's going to happen again," he said per a Boston Herald article. "So why not us? I think that's the approach. You're not going to go 200 years without someone else doing it. So it's been long enough, it might as well be us."

But before they can think about Game 7, the Devils have some work to do.

With some help from his defenders, Brodeur will tip the scales with another great showing in front of the home fans. Games one and two at The Prudential Center ended in 2-1 overtime losses for the Devils.

Kings coach Darryl Sutter recognized the importance of the Game 4 goalkeeping effort. “Brodeur was awesome, I think, the other night. We need probably Jonathan to be that tomorrow.”

But there has to be some belief that the 40-year-old Brodeur could see this as his last opportunity to win a Stanley Cup.

According to a New York Daily News article, Brodeur was asked after practice on Friday if the performance in Game 4 was a “point of personal pride, that if it was going to end, (he) didn't want it to end on that kind of note.”

He took the question to mean his career, not the 2012 season.

"Sure, a little but it's not going to end so it's not that big of a deal."

When the reporter clarified with “I meant the season,” Brodeur responded with “oh, OK. I thought you meant my career.”

While Brodeur hasn't completely dominated a playoff series since the Devils 2002-03 Stanley Cup victory, having his back up against the wall will keep the normally relaxed goalie sharp and focused.

Game 6 will be won in the net. With a little help from the offense, the Devils could keep the Kings from hoisting the cup altogether.