Brodeur to be back in net tonight for Devils

New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur will make his second attempt at a comeback from a bruised right elbow Friday at Scotiabank Place against the Ottawa Senators.

Brodeur, who has missed the last eight games after aggravating the injury Nov. 18 against the Toronto Maple Leafs, first got hurt Nov. 3 when a shot by Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane slammed into his elbow.

Brodeur is looking forward to re-joining his struggling team. The Devils (8-17-2), losers of three straight, enter tonight's game 14th in the Eastern Conference with 18 points. The club is 3-7-0 over its last 10 games.

"It's like riding a bike," Brodeur told the (Newark) Star-Ledger. "You're anxious. I think that's where it's a lot different than when you're playing. But when the game starts, it's hockey. When you see guys struggle, you'd like to be there and try to help. It's my team. I've been playing here for 16 years now. I care a lot."

When the Devils take the ice at Scotiabank Place, they will be looking to end a six-game road losing streak that dates to Nov. 15; they're 4-11-0 on the road this season. Friday's game is the last of its current three-game trip. They return home for three straight, starting Saturday against Detroit.

While Devils coach John MacLean confirmed Thursday that Brodeur would start against the Senators, he remains undecided on whether the future Hall of Fame goalie also will play against the Red Wings.

"You know what? I'm ready to go," Brodeur told the Bergen Record. "I'm ready like I was when I left and it was OK to go back-to-back. Again, it's not my decision. (MacLean) is going to make it. We have three days before the next set of three (games) in four nights."
As bad as the season has gone for the Devils, MacLean feels Brodeur's return will help.

"Marty's a world-class goalie," MacLean said. "Of course he's going to make a difference. He looks good in practice and I'm sure he'll be ready to go. He's a great goalie, so definitely he's going to make a difference. We're confident in his play and then we have to also play well in front of him and put some goals up there for him."

Brodeur is 4-10-1 with a 2.74 goals-against average, .901 save percentage and two shutouts this season. In 57 games against the Senators, he's 34-19-0 with four ties, a 2.18 GAA and six shutouts.