Sutter: Brodeur has work to do

There was plenty of blame to go around in the Devils' 4-1 loss to the last-place Toronto Maple Leafs tonight at Prudential Center.

But, Devils coach Brent Sutter made it clear he was not happy with the way goaltender Martin Brodeur played tonight.

While Toronto's Martin Gerber was stopping 47 of 48 shots he faced, Brodeur gave up four goals on 18 shots, including a couple of questionable ones. Brodeur has given up at least four goals in four of his last eight starts and allowed at least three in seven times in his last nine appearances (one in relief of the injured Kevin Weekes).

When I asked Sutter after tonight's game if he was concerned about the way Brodeur has played lately, he replied, "Just to get back to the question I get asked about whether I think about rotating goalies: Now you can see why I'm not thinking about doing it.

"There's still things that Marty needs to work on to get himself ready (for the playoffs)."

In other words, Brodeur will start the team's final two regular season games.

Brodeur didn't excuse himself from blame.

"Not good enough to win a hockey game," Brodeur said in evaluating his own play. "That's the bottom line. When you face a goalie is playing so well and the way he played today, you just want to make sure you keep your team in the game and definitely giving them a three-goal lead, regardless of how it happens, it's something you have to try to avoid."

Of the four goals Brodeur gave up tonight, the one the seemed the most stoppable was John Mitchell's 1:34 into third period, First of all, it killed the Devils' hopes a comeback. They had cut it to 3-1 with 1:07 left in the second period and seemed to have some momentum. But Mitchell's goal put the Maple Leafs back up by three.

It came after Niklas Hagman won a battle for the puck with defenseman Mike Mottau behind the net. Hagman slid the puck in front for Mitchell, who found an opening between Brodeur's pads.

"The guy missed the shot," Brodeur said. "I was moving and it kind of just snuck through my pads."

***

Right wing Brian Gionta said he needed six stitches to close two cuts -- one under his right eye and another on the right side of his nose -- from the high stick he took from Jay Harrison late in the first period.

Defenseman Bryce Salvador flexed his right knee a few times after he blocked a shot by Mikhail Grabovski with 4:10 left in the game, but said his knee was OK after the game.

Paul Martin suffered a cut on the bridge of his nose late in the second period, but wasn't sure if it came from his own stick or from one of the Maple Leafs.

"I don't know what it was," he said. "It was behind the net. I banged into somebody."

Comments

[jdr30]

He is right but the defense looked horrible tonight.

[Brodeur30]

Brodeur blew chunks tonight. No way to sugarcoat it. 3 out of those 4 he stops when he's playing like himself.

Rolston is a failure. My gawd is he bad. How many open nets did he miss tonight?

Our defensemen are getting toasted. That's what happens when you have so many mediocre d-men. Oduya, Mottau, and salvador have been brutal for a bit now.

I just don't see it getting any better.

[bringthealineback]

I just got home from that painful game. The team definitely plays different without Elias but this game has to be put on Brodeur. At least 2 of those goals have no business going in. Im just done giving him a pass and blaming defensive coverage. If he doesnt find his game quickly we are in for a short season. We made Gerber look like Roy in his prime.

[NJD26]

Brodeur needs work? More like he needs rest, he's played 19 out of 20 with a ridiculous schedule post-injury. As usual the team's running him into the ground and as usual it's just before the playoffs.

[Scratch16]

I'm just glad to hear that he kept Marty inn to give him a shot at improving his game. I guess they don't really put too much importance on whether or not they win these last games of the season. During the game I was hoping Brodeur would get pulled, and hoping that Sutter has enough control of this team to decide when Brodeur gets pulled and not leave it up to him whether or not he wants to stay in. He's been a wuss like that before. Glad to hear there's some reason behind it and not just weakness.

[shredder29]

PLay clemmensen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[modnarm]

shoulda pulled him after the 4th goal to prevent injury and fatigue. blah.

[jdr30]

Sutter said before Marty came back that "he will not play every game". The guy comes back from a 3 month injury and plays 19 out of 20 games ... Ridiculous!

We know Clemensen can win and I have no problem with seeing Clemensen in the playoffs if Marty does not perform. Shake the team up a little bit and start Clemensen the next game or two and let Marty know he has to earn his spot!

[Frank Rizzo]

Ottawa no joke. They looked awesome tonight beating Boston. Late to the dance this year they really turned it around. Then Carolina, 9 straight wins. Then likely Pens in 1st round. Only bright spot is that we can't play Rangers in 1st round after tonight.

[Matt]

Hey is there a way to get Sutter to know that we think starting Brodeur is not a good thing. Because it seems to be a general thought that Marty needs rest.

[SteveHatesFatChicksAnd Sutter]

Sutter sucks....He's playing Brodeur too much after a major injury and surgery. Lou Lams has lost his touch too. This defense blows. Lou should retire, his time has come. Get a new GM that isn't afraid to make a push for a BIG TIME defenseman like Bouwmeester. Not bargain basement stiffs like Salvador and career minor leaguers like Mottau.

I'm glad this year is almost over. I'm ready for baseball and the Mets look like they finally have a bullpen.

[Scott]

Yea, I think there were some weak goals in there, no doubt...But look...On most of them, they were off of broken plays from our defenseman....Routine plays....Plays guys run drills on over and over on how to get the puck out of your end when an opponent is forechecking. Mottau's play behind the net in what i believe to be the 3rd period goal was HIDEOUS!!!....Another play was off of an intercepted pass at the blue line, giving the d-man a wide open shot in the slot. Of course they're going to cash in if our D gives them golden opportunities. We didn't hold them to the boards....we let them skate in the middle of the slot...You can't do that. And it wasn't just one d-man you could blame. Each player was guilty in their own right.

Another question to be asked....What happened to the forecheck... We had glimmers of it - Especially with the Pando - Madden - Shanny line...They were pinning them in the zone well. Rolston's line however was not. The fowards need to remember to be two-way players again.

What a disheartening game to ditch work early for....

[Sohl]

Clemmer needs to play. We know he can win and Marty knows he has alot of work to do, but Sutter needs to put Clemmer in so it brings some livelihood to the team. Getting Elias back wouldnt hurt either. Their 2-4 in games without him this season i belive.

[MDL]

their defense is brutal and it has been for the last two and half weeks or so. They keep dropping back, and teams (even teams like Toronto) are getting set up WAY too easily. I was at the game tonight and saw exactly what we have been seeing, lack of focus and lack of jump in their play. Puck battles are being lost. You can see when guys are getting knocked down, (including Langenbrunner just before he scored), they are taking a second to look around and pout, before getting to their feet. They dont look like they know where their teamates are on the ice. Its really bad. The competition only gets better from here. If Sutter is heading home after this season, might as well replace him with the fear of Lou now and get it over with. This team is playing like the worst team in the NHL right now, and the numbers bear that out.

[Ruppamania]

Hey TG, totally off topic but I was wondering why Tommy Albelin moved from the eye in the sky position in Lou's box to behind the bench during games?

[Matt]

TG, tell sutter the fans are going to have his head if he wears Brodeur out before the playoffs and they get a first round exit. Play Clemmensen.

[TG]

Bouwmeester was not traded. So, people need to let go the idea that the Devils should have traded for him. If he was available, the price was obviously so high that no team was willing to pay it.

[Matt]

Another point, is back in 05-06 when Elias was out the Devils couldn't fall apart fast enough. When he rejoined in January they posted a large winning streak.

[Captain Fun]

@dr30 and anyone that even suggests not starting Brodeur in the playoffs....you guys are idiots. Nothing more needs to be said

@stevehates and anyone that knocks Lou....The man is the most important person (players included) in the history of the franchise. He has given you the following:

1. A thriving team with a state of the art arena...they would have moved long ago
2. I believe we are on the brink of 8 division titles
3. 4 Prince of Wales Trophies
4. 3 Stanley Cups

He signs one guy you don't like or we don't win the Cup every year and you want to get rid of him. That's Treason!

[Dan]

Marty doesn't need rest this time. He has not played well since wins 551 in Montreal and 553 against Minnesota. Yes the defense and offense have both been badly lacking, but Marty needs to get his game back and soon. If this continues, unless we are playing Montreal or the Flyers in the first round, we will be waiting for next year again pretty soon.

[stevehatessteve]

steve - I noticed when you mentioned "bargain basement stiffs" like slavy you didnt mention Havelid. How long will it take you to admit havelid is another bargain basement stiff? OR is he our savior? HAVELID BLOWSSS, I know we werent expecting much but he hasnt done jack for us.

[JPL]

Marty should have stopped 3 out 4 of the goals! He looked like a minor league goalie out there tonight. These are the types of games we need him to steal for us in the playoffs!

[embo slice]

ok, so let's realize that its gonna be Marty all the time in the playoffs, no matter what....He has got to get through this "malaise" WITH the team......if you want to stick clemmer in, and at best, the team plays better for a regular season game, what's gonna happen when playoffs start?....we are going to have to play better collectively WITH #30 in net, not with him on the bench.....no one deserves a pass here.....get through it together or rip the "C" of #15, fire the coach, and start from scratch(I realize there are some bad contracts)....but blow it up if this high caliber team doesn't work

[Will in Maine]

The headline of this article is the understatement of the century. I really hope he can rebound like after the TB game, but this is ridiculous you cannot have a crap game then have a decent game than a god awful one. I feel like going on a Jim Mora rant. ("Playoffs?!, PLAYOFFS??!!"). I think he should have been yanked after goal #3, this is sad. The offense looked good tonight, the D looked okay. You cannot ignore how good Gerber was, but in my opinion this game should have been 1-1 going into OT, not 4-1 final.. God help us if the Devils play PIT or CAR in the first round.

[ortugg44]

Maybe he should get rid of that stupid new helmet and wear his old one. just a thought.