Brodeur's been better

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'I'll do my best to try to match up' - Martin Brodeur on Henrik Lundqvist (CP)

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New York Rangers' Carl Hagelin loses his helmet after being walloped by New Jersey Devil Anton Volchenkov in Game 2. (FRANK FRANKLIN II / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES)

NEWARK, N.J. -- The way Martin Brodeur was talking before these Eastern Conference finals began, the Devils' goaltender -- and certain future Hall of Famer -- made it sound as if he'd be lucky to steal a game or two from Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist, the Vezina and Hart trophy finalist.

"I'll do my best to try to match up, but it's going to be pretty hard," Brodeur said on the eve of Monday's series opener.

Through the first two games, however, the goaltending battle has been as even as the series, which is tied, 1-1, heading into this afternoon's Game 3 at Prudential Center.

Lundqvist, who posted a 21-save shutout in Game 1, has allowed three goals (two at even strength) on 48 shots. Brodeur has given up four goals (one at even-strength) on 52 shots.

Lundqvist has been very good, but Brodeur has mixed in a few spectacular saves. In Game 1, he made a diving backhand glove snag on Marc Staal. In Game 2, he made another diving stop on Ryan McDonagh's wraparound and a desperation leg kick while lying on his belly against Marian Gaborik.

That's gotten Brodeur some of the attention, but more of the focus still is on Lundqvist.

"Believe it or not, he's kind of flying under the radar it seems like," Devils captain Zach Parise said of Brodeur.

That doesn't happen too often when the goaltender is the NHL's all-time leader in wins and shutouts, a four-time Vezina winner and a three-time Stanley Cup champion.

"We haven't seen that before, but he's playing great," Parise said. "He made a couple of big saves in the first period and then that great one he made on Gaborik in the second with his leg. It was a 0-0 tie at that point when he made that first one (on McDonagh). Saves like that change the dynamic of the game."

Brodeur still sees himself as the underdog in this matchup, though.

Lundqvist is 30 years old and in his prime. Brodeur turned 40 May 6 and more than a few had written him off as over the hill.

"For the most part, every time I play some tight series in my career I've always been the underdog for whatever reason," Brodeur said. "So, it's no different with (Lundqvist). I think he deserves to have the accolades that he's getting. Even though we scored three goals, we had to work really hard to score on him. He's the key to their success."

Brodeur and his teammates will have to continue to play at the same high level as the series shifts to The Rock for the next two games. The Devils felt good about splitting the first two at Madison Square Garden, but know they still have a lot of work to do.

"We know the Rangers are going to push," Devils coach Pete DeBoer said. "We know they're going to come out and play a great hockey game (Saturday). It's on us to do the same thing. So I expect it to be the best game of the series tomorrow from both ends. I think both teams are going to take their game to another level."

The Devils are 4-1 at Prudential Center in the playoffs, tying them with Los Angeles for the best home record in the post-season. They used home ice to stay alive in the first round against Florida with a Game 6 overtime win and to take a commanding 3-1 lead on Philadelphia in the second round with victories in Games 3 and 4 of that series.

Now, they want to put the Rangers in a 2-1 series hole, something the Blueshirts have avoided in the first two rounds.

-- McClatchy news service

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition May 19, 2012 C3