NJ Devils' Martin Brodeur Returning: An Unwelcome Comeback?

Oh, Scott Clemmensen...

It was up to you to keep the New Jersey Devils' season afloat when four-time Vezina Trophy winner Martin Brodeur went down with a serious injury early in the season. You hadn't played in more than 13 NHL games in a season prior to this one.

You are the very same Scott Clemmensen who avid hockey fans (including myself) referred to as "Scott Who?"

I'm a realist. I also happen to be a die-hard Montreal Canadiens fan. Before the season began, I thought that the Habs' chances were as good as gravy.

I also thought, with offseason acquisitions like 36-year-old Brian Rolston and 38-year-old Bobby Holik, that the New Jersey Devils were an old team that was only getting older. I thought that maybe, just maybe, because Martin Brodeur was their goalie, they had a chance to possibly sneak their way into the Playoffs.

Well, thanks to Zach Parise emerging as one of the league's premier players, and Patrik Elias having a year similar to that of his 2000-01 Stanley Cup season, the Devils are the real deal. They are currently sitting with 69 points, third in the Eastern Conference.

They've got an explosive offense and arguably the greatest goaltender in NHL history...

Oh, wait. Brodeur went down with a torn biceps after playing just 10 games for the Devils. So, the Devils should have been toast, right?

Oh, Scott Clemmensen!

He's had better-than-average numbers as an impromptu starter this season: a .917 save percentage and a 2.39 GAA (including two shutouts, which came back-to-back earlier this month). Not too shabby for a replacement.

With Ronald McDonald-sized shoes to fill, Clemmensen has stepped up to the task at hand. In my humble opinion, and as a fan of a completely different team, he's done a formidable job. His teammates should be thankful.

But quickly, Clemmensen's game is looking a little bit more like that of a shaky backup's. In his past three starts, he's let in 13 goals. It's also alarming that the once-dynamic Devils offense has not been scoring for their nervous goalie: His past two losses have been two opposing teams' shutouts. Ouch.

Could it be the news of Marty's impending return affecting Clemmensen's once steadfast performance? Methinks the answer be yes.

There is no way that this guy wants to become the backup of the team that he's led to 25 wins and 51 points in 40 games.

It was reported yesterday that Brodeur could be returning to the Devils' lineup as soon as Thursday. I expect that he will struggle in his first few starts, as most goalies do as they shake off the rust.

I feel that Clemmmensen's dream is coming to a staggering halt: His confidence is shaky, and I think his starts as a backup to Brodeur will begin to reflect that.

I'm not sure that if I was Brent Sutter, I wouldn't rotate the two as starters, but I'm sure Brodeur would not have that. After all, a dispute with Claude Julien in 2007 cost the probable Jack Adams Trophy candidate his job.

Julien is undoubtedly a great coach, but even great coaches cannot flex their cerebral muscles if Marty feels he's being slighted.

Expect a rocky end to your season if you're a Devils fan. And hurrah to Habs fans, as we may meet a see-saw of a team in the playoffs.  I'm just saying...