The last time New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur lost in the Stanley Cup final, the man was in his 20s. So distraught after his team’s 3-1 loss to Colorado Avalanche in Game 7 of the 2001 final, Brodeur refused to address the press.
This year was different. Different enough that there will likely be a next year.
“We came a long way from not making the playoffs last year to being able to challenge for a Stanley Cup. Only one team is going to win. It’s disappointing, but I’m really proud of what we accomplished as group,” Broduer said after the Devils’ Game 6 loss to the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center Monday night.
“Last time I didn’t talk to the media when we lost,” he continued. “Now I’m talking, so I feel a little better, I guess.”
A big smile, unbefitting of a runner-up, crept across the future Hall of Famer’s face.
“I’m a little more wise,” he said.
A reporter in the scrum asked Brodeur what his foil at the other end of the rink, Conn Smythe Trophy winner Jonathan Quick, said to him in the post-series handshake line.
“He wanted to make sure I didn’t retire. I guess he likes beating me,” Brodeur quipped.
Again with the smile.
Brodeur told Quick how important it was to enjoy the moment, that you never know when you’re going to get back to the fourth round.
The veteran would know. Nine years had passed since Brodeur’s Devils defeated the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in the 2003 final. But the 40-year-old has enjoyed this New Jersey resurgence so thoroughly, that he says he hopes to return for 2012-13.
Brodeur finished the postseason with a 14-9 record and one shutout. His 2.12 goals-against average was his best mark in a postseason since his Cup victory nine years ago.
“I don’t think so,” Brodeur said of retirement. “This season answered a lot of questions about where my game’s at, and I’m really happy to hopefully continue.”
