[Hockey News]

A bounce here, a bounce there. The way Martin Brodeur sounded, the New Jersey Devils were fortunate to close out the Tampa Bay Lightning.

In reality, the three-time Stanley Cup champion goalie was the difference in the first-round Eastern Conference series that the Devils won Sunday with Brodeur stopping 32 shots and Brian Gionta scoring two goals in a 3-2 victory.

Faced with criticism after playing poorly in the first three games, the 34-year-old goaltender reverted to the form that helped him set a regular-season record for victories and win three straight to end the best-of-seven matchup in six games.

"We won, and it doesn't matter if you play well or not," Brodeur said. "It's a fine line in the playoffs - winning and losing, and how somebody performs - because the luck factor is such a big factor."

Brodeur stops 32 shots as Devils eliminate Lightning with 3-2 win

[blueandwhite]

Gionta, rafalski, Gionta.
Richards, richards.
And the series is over.
My soft spot for tampa remains, and I am sad about this. Tampa can be an inspirational team.
Richards teamed up with LeCavalier and St. Louis to score 11 of Tampa Bay's 14 goals in the series. I realized Fedetenko was a healthy scratch again, punishment for not producing in the season.
Brodeur moved into second place on the career playoff list behind Roy (remember his 151 total?).
Now it's jersey vs. Ottawa.

[9korona]

i'm so glad that Brodeur came back and didn't embarass his team. jersey and ottawa will be really good

[blazinsabrez61]

just so u all no, im rooting for u guys this series (most of u that i would never, EVER, EVER, EVER root for the senators)
but when it comes time to face u in the next round,
GO SABRES!!!