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Devils' Brodeur Out 3-4 Months

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON

eerlendsson@tampatrib.com

Published: November 5, 2008

NEWARK, N.J. - The chase for history has hit a major road block.

New Jersey's Martin Brodeur, arguably one of the top goaltenders in NHL history, will miss three to four months after he was diagnosed with torn biceps tendons and underwent surgery Tuesday to repair the damage. Brodeur, 36, was injured during Saturday's game against Atlanta and left during the second period. The original diagnosis was a bruise, but the damage was revealed in an MRI.

"When you have a Marty Brodeur as a goaltender and he's out for a significant amount of time, sure it certainly gives you a knot in your stomach, but you have to move forward," Devils coach Brent Sutter told the Newark Star-Ledger.

Not only has Brodeur backstopped the Devils to three Stanley Cup championships and won the Vezina Trophy four times, but he also is on the cusp of history. He needs eight victories to surpass Patrick Roy for most all-time, and he is six shutouts shy of breaking Terry Sawchuk's record of 103. Twenty-seven of Brodeur's 544 career victories have come at the expense of Tampa Bay, as well as five of his 98 shutouts.

Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello was upbeat despite the setback.

"This is not a career-ending injury," he told the Star-Ledger. "This is a bump in the road. He will be back in a short period of time."

Without their mainstay in net - Brodeur had started 51 consecutive games before missing Monday's game against Buffalo - the Devils will turn to former Lightning goaltender Kevin Weekes, who will assume most of the starting duties.

Lightning coach Barry Melrose said the change in net for New Jersey does alter the way Tampa Bay needs to approach tonight's game against the Devils.

"From a coach's point of view, Brodeur's absence actually causes problems, believe it or not, because you have a team preparing to play against the best goaltender in the game, then all of a sudden he's not there," Melrose said. "It's only human nature that they may say, "Wow, this is a big break for us, now maybe we don't have to work as hard.'"

"That's how a coach thinks. It's diabolical, but you find the dark cloud in every silver lining."

Reporter Erik Erlendsson can be reached at (813) 259-7835.

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