Martin Brodeur showed many signs of slowing down and aging at the beginning of this season. A 14-year veteran, Brodeur played uninspired hockey in the opening month (3-6-0, 3.02 GAA), allowing weak, atypical goals, and more importantly, losing more games than expected. Fortunately for the Devils team and their die-hard fans alike, the "new and seemingly aging" Brodeur did not last for more than six weeks. Since the middle of November, he has returned to the Brodeur that we are more familiar with: the record-breaking (22 wins away from tying Patrik Roy’s all-time record of 551 regular season wins), three-time Vezina and Stanley Cup Trophy winner. Although Brodeur may be getting older and wearing down physically and mentally, he's not getting any weaker, just wiser.

The latest installment of the "Brodeur Iron Man Show" has been a 22 consecutive game streak in which he’s registered a 14-6-2 record. After seemingly underachieving in October, the Devils slowly rose to the Atlantic Division lead once again and first place in the Eastern Conference for the first time since the final day of the 2001 season. In large part, due to Brodeur’s continuous hard work and tireless effort. (And John Madden's as well yesterday).

Even though critics doubt his skills, suggesting that the Devils’ defense first strategy limits opponents’ shots on net and second-chances, Brodeur has answered the call. In fact, the Devils lost two important players during the offseason yet remain in first place. Why? Martin Brodeur.

Simply put; he steals games.

Jeremy found a great quote from Zach Parise yesterday, "Marty was phenomenal," Parise said. "He's the reason we got to overtime. He kept us in the game." 

This is just one example of Marty stealing the show.

Yesterday, Brodeur matched a season high, making 37 saves in the Devils 2-1 overtime win at Washington.

Brodeur ranks among the league leading goaltenders in goals against average, save percentage, wins, and shutouts. In fact, he is ranked six or higher in all of those categories, including first in wins with 35. The 35 is the same 35 or better he earned for the last 11 consecutive seasons, also an NHL record. His unprecendented 6 40-win seasons has never been challenged.

In my opinion, he is, without a doubt, the most consistent goaltender in the league.

As my old hockey coach Don Woods once told me, "You give me a great goaltender and a hard working team, I'll give you first place."

Even though he tried to motivate us with the adage, Woods’ saying has much meaning and truth to it. Just ask the rest of the NHL teams. Head coach Brent Sutter has been working hard in his first year with New Jersey and Marty is supplying the great goaltending.

Is this the year that Lord Stanley's Cup returns to New Jersey? If Martin Brodeur has anything to do with it, come June and we will celebrating, not in the Meadowlands parking lot, but in downtown Newark.

Weird, Ay. 

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