A Devils trainer hung a sheet of paper with the number "103" on it inside Martin Brodeur's locker at HSBC Arena Monday night and Brodeur secured the final puck from his NHL record-tying shutout of the Sabres, just as he's done for the other 102 blankings of his remarkable career. (OK, he actually only has half a puck for the 0-0 tie he played with Dominik Hasek in 1996).
Here's how Rich Chere of the Newark Star-Ledger covered the Devils' milestone game:
---It took 18 tries but Brodeur didn't let this chance at No. 103 slip by after going into the third period with a three-goal lead.
---Devils coach Jacques Lemaire -- who played against Sawchuk -- says it's much tougher to get shutouts these days because so many more players have good offensive skills.
---The Devils were trying not to talk about the potential shutout on the bench. Sounds like they were applying the no-hitter philosophy from baseball.
Any good fan should have hockey-reference.com bookmarked. Here's a look at the career shutout list updated through last night.
Even more amazing is the active list because Brodeur has more than doubled No. 2 on it, Detroit's Chris Osgood. Lo and behold, who's No. 7? It's Patrick Lalime, with 35 shutouts. Ryan Miller is tied for 20th with 15 -- or 88 behind Brodeur.
---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington)
AP Photo: Devils defenseman Andy Greene gives it up to Martin Brodeur after the final horn.
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NHL | Sabres
