The Devils, who were knocked out of the playoffs by the Rangers last Sunday, have nothing to play for. Brodeur does not feel the need to start the game without a reason to play in it.

Tom Gulitti from northjersey.com’s Fire & Ice Blog reports:

“If it meant something, I was going to play, but it doesn’t,” Brodeur said. “Getting booed for two hours for no reason, I don’t know if I was really up to it. If it meant something, I didn’t mind.”

Unusual for Brodeur, who has not missed a game at the Garden while being healthy since Dec. 5, 1993. Two days before I was born, it has been a long time.

Current Devils goaltending coach, Chris Terreri, got the start that night, the Devils lost 2-1. Mike Richter was in net for the Rangers.

Apr 25, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils goalie Johan Hedberg (1) and New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur (30) skate off the ice after the Devils 3-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

However, the Rangers still have something to play for. If the Rangers win, they have a chance at being the sixth seed, if they lose they stay the eighth. But, either way they are still in the playoffs and the Devils have no role as spoiler.

The Hudson River Rivalry is nothing special without Brodeur in net. It will certainly aggravate fans in attendance who love to try to get in the head of Brodeur, but that does not matter.

Brodeur will not get between the pipes until next September in what will most likely be the last year of his Hall of Fame career.

It is relieving knowing that Brodeur is returning next year. After the Stanley Cup Final loss last season, it was not 100 percent that Brodeur would return. Devils fans get to put off that sad, dreaded last game of Brodeur’s playing career.

Martin Brodeur went down to a back injury on Feb. 24th during warm-ups of the game against the Winnipeg Jets. Although Brodeur’s injury was not considered serious, it kept him out of the lineup for almost a month, and landed him on IR.

The injury left the Devils in dismay as they went on a large losing skid. Johan Hedberg did the best he could to take on the starting role, but could not hold down the fort.

Feb 15, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; Philadelphia Flyers shot sail wide right during the third period against New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur (30) at the Prudential Center. New Jersey Devils defeat he Philadelphia Flyers 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

The return of Brodeur to practice is a huge impact on the team. Brodeur has always been regarded as a great player in the locker room and is in every way a morale boost.

Some rumors have spread that Brodeur could be on the roster for Tuesday’s game, but not as the starting goalie. If Brodeur were to return, he would back-up Hedberg. The Devils would most likely send rookie Jeff Frazee back to Albany, but is it worth it?

Jan 22, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils captain defenseman Bryce Salvador (24) congratulates New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur (30) on his 3-0 shutout win over the Philadelphia Flyers at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

The smartest decision is to keep Brodeur in practice for the remainder of the week, as Hedberg has been playing very well the past three games. Rushing Brodeur back into starting games is not the best idea for the Devils.