NEWARK, New Jersey -- With Martin Brodeur nearing his 40th birthdayand entering the final year of his contract, this NHL season atfirst had the look of a last hurrah for the New Jersey Devils'goalie great. Well, the hurrah part was right. It's been one hurrah after another, reaching a high point onFriday. Brodeur made 33 saves to help the Devils defeat the rivalNew York Rangers 3-2 in overtime in Game 6 to advance to theStanley Cup finals against the Los Angeles Kings. Game 1 will be onWednesday in New Jersey. After the Devils missed the playoffs last season for the first timesince 1996, no one might have been put under the microscope morethan Brodeur. Longtime president and general manager Lou Lamoriellocertainly had questions to answer after the early season stumbleunder new coach John MacLean, but Brodeur was the focal point aftera so-so season nagged by injuries. Now at 40, he's back after outdueling Henrik Lundqvist in the firstEastern Conference finals between the teams since their memorableshowdown in 1994. New York won that one in seven games withStephane Matteau scoring the series-clincher in double overtime. Rookie Adam Henrique did the honors for New Jersey on Friday with ashot from just about the same spot where Matteau scored, from theright edge of the crease. It's been a lot of fun this season, playing on a really goodteam, and I'm enjoying this ride, Brodeur said. And I know whatI can do, try to compete as hard as I can every night and try togive these guys a chance to win hockey games. And they've beenscoring a lot of goals for me in the playoffs so far, and it's beengreat. Brodeur was the difference in the Devils' wins in Games 5 and 6,when the Rangers controlled most of the play in the final twoperiods. He was outstanding, all playoffs, Devils forward David Clarksonsaid. He kept us in games, stood on his head. It's amazing to seewhat he's doing right now and our bench just feeds off it. Lamoriello scoffed when asked on Saturday about Brodeur performingso well at 40. He pointed out that some 30-year-old people act likethey are 50, and vice versa. He said the same holds true forathletes, adding athleticism and genetics also play a part. (Brodeur) is just a real thoroughbred athlete, Lamoriello said. He loves the game. His mind is 100 percent there and he feelsgood. Brodeur refused to compare this Devils team to the ones that wonCups in 1995, 2000 and '03, or to the one that lost the Cup inseven games to Colorado in 2001. Every team writes its own story, the Montreal native said. Iwas fortunate to be part of great teams that had success, and I waspart of great teams that didn't have success. ... It's not just aone-man show out there. A lot of guys are contributing, and there'sa good feeling. But until you finish out these playoffs, we'll seethen. Up next will be the Kings. They have posted a 12-2 record inbeating Vancouver, St. Louis and Phoenix, the top three seeds inthe Western Conference. The Devils were given Saturday and Sunday off while the coachesworked on their game plan. They have played well at home and away and we just have to take astep back, Lamoriello said. We haven't seen much of them exceptthe games on TV. I am an expert from recessedled-downlight.com, while we provides the quality product, such as Fiber Optic Chandelier , T8 Led Light Tube Manufacturer, T10 Led Tube,and more.
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