Martin Brodeur - B+
Marty had his best statistical season since 2006-07. Although it was a shortened season, in 29 starts Brodeur had 13 wins, 2 shutouts, .901 save percentage, and 2.22 goals against average. He did not get much offensive help in his starts, but still had a great statistical year. The soon to be 41-year-old has one more year left on his contract, but most likely will not be done after that. There is no question that Brodeur wants to reach an even more untouchable number of career NHL wins. He is only 31 wins shy of 700.

March 15, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New Jersey Devils goalie Johan Hedberg (1) dives over Philadelphia Flyers center Brayden Schenn (10) during the third period at the Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers defeated the Devils 2-1, in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The Devils need Hedberg to step up his game next season and Brodeur to continue playing as well as he did this year. If they can score a few more goals this year, the Devils would be in the playoffs right now.

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.