Brodeur win last as a Devil?
Goaltender Martin Brodeur can be a free agent after this season. He could be playing elsewhere next season.
MARTIN BRODEUR made 16 saves in what might have been his last start in a 20-year career with the Devils, and New Jersey beat visiting Boston, 3-2, yesterday as the Bruins rested many of their stars in preparation for the playoffs.
The soon-to-be 42-year-old Brodeur is in the final year of his contract and is likely to test the free-agent market now that he has become the backup to Cory Schneider.
Standing on the postgame podium, Brodeur's eyes welled with tears when he was asked to explain his emotions.
As he was interviewed, the sellout crowd chanted: "Thank You Marty! Thank You Marty!"
"It was a little emotional," said Brodeur, the NHL's career leader in wins (688) and shutouts (124). "I have spent my life here. All the fans out there know me. They think they know me by my name, and I feel they know me.
"They have been calling my name for 20 years. Every time they stop me and talk to me, they are great. It's a relationship that an athlete has with people. It was definitely fun, but it was emotional."
Brodeur said he has not ruled out returning to the Devils.
"It's not out of the question that the Devils will be in the running for me to come back," Brodeur said. "I haven't talked to [general manager Lou Lamoriello] about what he wants to do with backing up 'Schneids,' '' Brodeur said. "Again, if I am mentally ready to do that job, I am going to look for the Devils a little bit.
"Right now I'm keeping everything open. We'll see what he feels is the best for the organization. It's not about me anymore. I'm free. He's not stuck with me anymore."
New Jersey's Jaromir Jagr had two assists, giving him 1,050 and moving him past Gordie Howe for eighth on the NHL career list.
The Devils announced during the game that coach Pete DeBoer will return next season.
In other games
* At Vancouver, the Canucks ended a disappointing, non-playoff season with a 5-1 victory over Calgary.
South Jersey's Johnny Gaudreau scored the Flames' only goal in his NHL debut.
* At Washington, Tampa Bay wrapped up home-ice advantage for its first-round playoff series against Montreal by edging Washington, 1-0, in a shootout in the regular-season finale. The Capitals failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2006-07.
* At St. Louis, Detroit backup goalie Petr Mrazek kept the injury-riddled Blues down heading into the playoffs with his second career shutout, 3-0.
* At Buffalo, Brock Nelson scored with 3:44 left in regulation to force overtime and then netted the decisive shootout goal to lift the New York Islanders to a 4-3 win over the Sabres.
* At Pittsburgh, Kyle Turris scored his team-leading 26th goal in regulation and also tallied in the shootout as visiting Ottawa completed its season with a fifth straight victory, 3-2 over the Penguins.
* At Anaheim, Nick Bonino scored in overtime as the Ducks defeated Colorado, 3-2.
* At Phoenix, the Coyotes defeated the Dallas Stars, 2-1.
* At St. Paul, Minn., the Nashville Predators closed out their season with a 7-3 rout of the Wild.