Brodeur Isn’t Keen on Pursuit of Roy

With Patrick Roy retired as of Wednesday, Martin Brodeur can start to take aim at Roy’s many goaltending records.

Someday, perhaps, they all will belong to Brodeur.

In fact, at 31, the New Jersey Devil goaltender is ahead of Roy’s pace to surpass his record of 551 regular-season victories. He also is in position to win a third Stanley Cup championship, which would leave him one behind Roy.

The easygoing Brodeur, however, would rather not talk about it.

“I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself,” he said. “I think it’s important that I have fun playing the game, and I think one day I’m going to be close to these records. I know it’s going to get hard. I think people will put a lot of pressure [on me] and talk about it.

“I don’t think it’s going to make it fun too much. I want to enjoy the ride. It’s been an awesome ride for me.”

*

Devil captain Scott Stevens played in his 228th playoff game Thursday, breaking a tie with Larry Robinson, a Devil consultant and former coach, for fifth place on the all-time list and the top position among defensemen.

“Any player that plays that amount of games, there’s a definite significance to it,” Devil Coach Pat Burns said. “These guys are warriors to play that long and to be able to have the success that Scotty’s had, perhaps without the recognition.”

From the day the hard-hitting Stevens, 39, broke into the NHL with the Washington Capitals 21 years ago, Burns said, “other players knew he was on the ice. And that’s a big thing. When other players don’t know you’re on the ice, it’s not a good sign. And they certainly know and are aware that he’s there.”

Asked the key to his longevity, Stevens said that he had always eaten right, taken care of his body and stayed in shape.

“Plus, work ethic,” he said. “I think that’s my biggest asset. I’m not the most talented player, but I don’t mind working and doing the dirty work.”

*

Burns, asked if injured forwards Joe Nieuwendyk and Turner Stevenson would make the trip west today and possibly be available for Games 3 and 4 at the Arrowhead Pond: “I imagine they would.” Nieuwendyk said late Thursday that he will not play in Game 3.