Are the New Jersey Devils the Real Deal?

Goalie Martin Brodeur has been huge for the New Jersey Devils this post-season.
Photo Courtesy of  bladesofsteel.com

The New Jersey Devils are won win away from playing the Los Angeles Kings in the Stanley Cup Finals. Many favored the the Rangers in this series, but the Devils have played solid and hold a 3-2 advantage in the series. Goalie Martin Brodeur, a sure to be hall of famer, is playing very well in the net and the Devils have relied on his experience and stellar play. Brodeur, who is 40 years old, is playing more like he's in his prime, preventing the Rangers from scoring  lots of goals. His goals against average is just over two per game and he is playing the puck well keeping it away from the Ranger forwards.

Don't count out the New York Rangers though. The Rangers have faced adversity being forced into an elimination game 6 in the first round against the Ottawa Senators and beat the Washington Rangers in seven games in the second round. Henrik Lundqvist has played well in games six and games sevens averaging a .94 save percentage and a 1.5 goals against average.

If the Devils keep getting production from the bottom six forwards, the Rangers will have problems beating them twice in a row. On the Rangers end, they need their top six forwards to step up and Henrik Lundqvist needs to return to Vezina finalist form to reach the Stanley Cup Finals.

Before the playoffs I remember hockey analysts talking about Martin Brodeur hanging up his skates, retiring. He's playing good hockey right now and his team is one win away from going to the Finals. My advice to the analysts to calm down and let the future hall of famer make his decision in regards to when its the right time to stop playing. Brodeur and the Devils are five wins away from hoisting the Stanley Cup. Wouldn't be a bad way to walk away from the game, but I will let him make that decision.