Brodeur will start again Sunday against Flyers

It will be three games in four days for Martin Brodeur.

After facing only 17 shots and having a pretty easy afternoon in a 7-2 win over Florida today, Brodeur will be back in net for Sunday afternoon's showdown with the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Flyers are in second place in the Atlantic Division, seven points behind the Devils.

"Marty is fine," Devls coach Brent Sutter said after today's game. "He's good to go tomorrow. With as much work as he's had in the last two games, it's actually worked out pretty well."

Brodeur faced only 24 shots in his first game back from a torn biceps tendon -- a 4-0 win over Colorado on Thursday night -- and has not been physically taxed, yet.

"I feel good now," he said after earning his 546th career win today, moving him within six of breaking Patrick Roy's all-time record.

***

I didn't remember a single glove save Brodeur had to make today, but I asked him after the game to be sure.

"I don't think so," he said. "Maybe, I don't know. I froze a couple of them, so I touched it. I don't think there was many shots on that side."

Brodeur had only one glove save in Thursday's game and that was a relatively routine one. It's notable because his left (glove) arm is the one that was injured.

Brodeur said he was not angry about Florida's Michael Frolik shooting the puck into the Devils' net after a whistle in the second period. In fact, he did not think it was intentional.

"I think he was trying to give (the puck) to me and I didn't look," Brodeur said. 

Brodeur said it bothered him " a little bit" when he finally gave up a goal to Ville Peltonen with 1:30 left in the second period. That ended his shutout streak 139 minutes and 33 seconds. It dated back to the third period of a 6-5 shootout loss to Toronto on Oct. 29.

"You try to hold (the shutout streak) as a long as you can, but eventually it was going to happen," Brodeur said of beind scored upon.

***

Sutter on Zach Parise's two first period goals today: "They’re pretty impressive. It’s why he is who he is. You’re not second in the league in goal scoring without doing something right.”

With 38 goals in 62 games, Parise is on pace to finish with 50. That would break Brian Gionta's single-season team record of 48 set in 2005-06 and make him the first 50-goal scorer in team history.

"Thanks for reminding me. Now I'll go into a slump," Parise said when I told him after the game that he is back on pace to score 50. "We'll see. I'll just keep shooting and, hopefully, I'll get up there."

Comments

[Captain Cornholio]

This is the right decision. Besides, the more he plays initially, the more quickly he'll get back into peak condition.

[Devilswede]

These two games have been lighter than practice for Marty, so he should fine for tomorrow's game.

[momo from Brooklyn]

Thanks TG.It was obvious in some way since Marty didn't have to do much in his last 2 games and we all know how much Marty likes to play.
Also,as AJ was saying earlier and I am totally agree regarding A.Green playing on PP,and my personal opinion is him playing period.

[bobo]

Looks like Conte did ok in last year's draft with Brandon Burlon and David Wohlberg.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/devils/2009/02/27/2009-02-27_devils_prospects_brandon_burlon_and_davi-1.html

[mikeschoenf]

i missed the game today.. did Marty get an ovation when he gave in the goal? Like a dont worry about it your the man?

[Captain Cornholio]

When Lou decides to walk away from the Devils, Conte should simply step in and continue what he started.

[Captain Cornholio]

With the game virtually over at that point, I think the crowd reacted indifferently when the Panthers scored their first goal.

[Per]

As Marty himself said...when they score like this it's nice to be a goaltender. He hasn't been tested for real yet.

[ray]

i stood up and cheered but no one else did

[Captain Cornholio]

Ray, you might have been the only one who did that. I think the place might have emptied out to the restaurants during the timeout after they made it 5-0.

[Nieds27]

The crowd responded with MAR-TY, MAR-TY after the first goal.

[Douglas]

The Devils have nobody to blame but themselves if there are empty seats in the lower bowl. Two hundred fifty dollars for one ticket is ridiculous and outrageous. Nobody should pay a sports team that much -- on principle. It serves them right.

[Captain Cornholio]

Douglas is absolutely right. This is why I don't go as often as I should.

[Al (Philly Devil)]

Marty made a nice glove save in warm ups! :)

[Captain Cornholio]

"You try to hold it as long as you can . . ."

Was Brodeur talking about his shutout or having to take a leak while in his equipment?

[SS]

ok i like the idea of him getting to break the records as quickly as possible but seriously they have to sit him, he just got back and today's game wasn't his best, even on Thursday he only faced 24 shots, and today he faced 17 and let up two! i know hes the best but i think they're pushing him a little too much too early in his comeback.

[Captain Cornholio]

The records haven't entered the equation, SS. Very simply, the two games he's had have not forced him to work very hard. In the case of tomorrow, since the team doesn't have to travel, why not play him? Many of us had the same concerns you do, but after watching him today, I don't have any real reason to worry.

I would say, however, that the thought of him running the table and breaking the win record in Montreal has probably entered his mind.

[SS]

Thats true about them not traveling, Captain Cornholio, im just worried about marty when the offense doesn't score more than 4 goals a game, i just want there to be a sold marty in net. We dont need to rush him now when were scoring so many goals. But i did notice how well the D men are doing, shutting down the offense and only letting 20 shots a game, they really stepped it up...we cant forget them.

[Kip Nicaragua]

I think the fact that Marty hasn't necessarily been himself quite yet means he could use the work. I have no problem with Marty playing tomorrow.

[Rico Suave]

did somebody slip drugs into the water stream? i just don't understand how people are saying marty isn't marty just yet. the two goals scored against him were good goals. my biggest concern with him was going to be the timing of his rebound control, and he hasn't lost a step in that department. for god sakes, he made an up ice pass across the ring to setup a good scoring opportunity as well which adds another offensive threat to this team. he's one of the best stick handling goalies of all time, so he will help in the defensive end as well.

i love the devils and the people on this board...but i bet if we ran a perfect 82-0 season some of us would find something wrong with it. i don't mind pessimism and criticism, but some of this is a bit much.

the facts...marty's missed most of the season and wasn't challenged much in his first two appearances.

i understand everyone is hesitant to see him tested, but the facts are we do not NEED peak marty right now. our team just went months without him, and can do so again if need be. these games are mostly about him getting into peak form in time for the playoffs. will he have some rust? absolutely. let's stop nit-picking the guys, please. we have one of the best devils team in history in front of us, let's enjoy the ride.

[NJD26]

The only $250 seats are clubs, those aren't the ones that don't sell out. It's the $100 mezz seats and the $95 corners that offer no extra perks.

[Jacko]

Interesting comment Douglas, but the reality is NO ONE pays $250 for lower tickets unless they buy them in the secondary market. The most expensive season tickets go for $170 each, include all you can eat and drink (non alcohol), and happen to be the best seats available (including every front row seat.) The seats in the corners in the lower bowl can be had for $35 at the Rock, or $35 less than in Continental Airlines Arena since every lower bowl seat cost the same.

I don't mind people complaining about prices, but get your facts straight, if you can go to games in darn good seats for $35, that's not bad for pro sports. You should be thankful you're not a Knicks fan, $1000 lower level seats and a perrenial loser...

[Captain Cornholio]

I agree. It's hard to pay that much for a seat without a whole lot in return.

[Braddock]

Actually Jacko, you're wrong. Anyone who buys the club seats through Ticketmaster (I.E. not a season ticket holder) pays $250 plus the Ticketmaster fee. And that's not the secondary ticketexchange or other marketplace. The corner seats cost $37.50 each, and only for the family four pack games, otherwise they are $95 face. The Devs have tried to discount a lot more this year, but that would only tick me off as a Full season ticket holder in the corners paying either $70 or $60 a game with the STH discount. Who ever heard of paying a higher price for attending every game. Screwy.

BTW, ATLANTA got almost 18K today, Devs put up a little over 16. That's right, Atlanta. Sheesh. That's pathetic.

[NJD26]

Atlanta's also probably losing money since they have $39 all you can eat seats.

Just about all of the clubs get sold as season tickets, only fools and those with money to burn would pay the $250 individual price at the box office when you can get them on StubHub for less just about every game.