NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Martin Brodeur hadn’t played in the NHL since his final win April 13 with the New Jersey Devils. Stepping back into the crease after such a long break was a bit different for the 42-year-old goalie.
Wearing St. Louis blue instead of Devils red was just plain weird, at least in warmups. Then Brodeur got back to work, even if he didn’t get the win.
Mike Ribeiro scored a goal and had two assists, and the Nashville Predators spoiled Brodeur’s debut with the Blues by beating St. Louis 4-3 on Thursday night.
“It was a different feeling for me today,” Brodeur said. “I haven’t played in a long time. Coming into the organization, different players, different team, coaching staff, so not sure what to expect. I did it for so long with the same people over and over. But glad it’s over, and now I got (a game) under my belt. We’re going to stop talking about it and just play hockey.”
Brodeur made 20 saves in his first NHL start for a team other than the Devils. The Blues signed the four-time Vezina Trophy winner Tuesday, tapping the NHL’s goalie leader in games, wins and shutouts to help while Brian Elliott is sidelined by a knee injury. His new teammates said they didn’t help him enough defensively.
“He definitely kept us in it and gave us a chance to win it,” Blues center and former Colorado College standout Jaden Schwartz said.
