NEWARK, N.J. — With Martin Brodeur nearing his 40th birthday and entering the final year of his contract, this season at first had the look of a last hurrah for the New Jersey Devils’ goalie great.
Well, the hurrah part was right.
It’s been one hurrah after another, reaching a high point Friday night. Brodeur made 33 saves to help the Devils defeat the rival New York Rangers 3-2 in overtime in Game 6 to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals against the Los Angeles Kings. Game 1 will be Wednesday in New Jersey.
After the Devils missed the playoffs last season for the first time since 1996, no one might have been put under the microscope more than Brodeur. Longtime president and general manager Lou Lamoriello certainly had questions to answer after the early-season stumble under new coach John MacLean, but Brodeur was the focal point after a so-so season nagged by injuries.
Now at 40, he’s back after outdueling Henrik Lundqvist in the first Eastern Conference finals between the teams since their memorable showdown in 1994.
“It’s been a lot of fun this season, playing on a really good team, and I’m enjoying this ride,” Brodeur said. “And I know what I can do, try to compete as hard as I can every night and try to give these guys a chance to win hockey games. So far, it’s been great.”
