Martin Brodeur Ties Terry Sawchuk With 103rd Shutout!

Martin Brodeur took another step towards the Hockey Hall of Fame last night as the New Jersey Devils' netminder tied legendary goalie Terry Sawchuk's seemingly impossible to reach record of 103 career shutouts with a 3-0 win over the Buffalo Sabres.

Sawchuk broke into the National Hockey League way back in 1949-50 with the Detroit Red Wings and finishing his career with 103 shut outs. For most, Sawchuk's record was a benchmark and one of the records that no one could approach, let alone surpass. None of the great NHL goaltenders have really been able to topple Sawchuk from the top of the goaltender heap, but Brodeur threatened to do so last year until an injury forced him to miss most of the season. Sawchuk played in 971 games in his stellar career, while Martin Brodeur took a little longer, having now played 1,025 regular season games.

In the game, the Buffalo Sabres could only direct 22 shots at Brodeur and the Devils opened scoring with veteran right winger Brian Rolston getting his 10th on a wrist shot that beat Buffalo's Ryan Miller late in the first period. Travis Zajac put New Jersey up 2-0 a minute later as he slapped a shot at the Sabres' net and the puck dribbled through Miller and into the net.

The Devils went up 3-0 early in the 2nd period when New Jersey winger Niclas Bergfors blasted a power play goal off the post and in 39 seconds into the period. New Jersey played a defensive game from there, and there was no further scoring.

The Devils are at home Wednesday to face the Carolina Hurricanes, while Buffalo hosts the Washington Capitals.