Brodeur returns to net and scores strangest goal ever

Martin Brodeur returned to the New Jersey Devils' net Thursday night and, besides giving the team their first road win since Feb. 21, scored what could be the oddest goal ever.

During a Devils' power play against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Devils were whistled for a delayed penalty. Because the play doesn't stop until until the penalized team touches the puck, the Hurricanes pulled their goalie for an extra attacker, assuming the Devils couldn't score without touching the puck. How can a team score without touching the puck? Simple.

A wayward pass by Jordan Stall bounces off the boards , travels the length of the ice, and into the open net.  Since Brodeur was the last Devils player to touch the puck (while making a save) he gets credited with the goal.



The fluke bounce silenced the confused PNC Arena crowd before it became the third goal of Brodeur's 21-year career giving him the most ever for an NHL goaltender.

More important to the Devils, the 4-1 victory was their first on the road after going 0-4-2 since Brodeur was sidelined with a neck injury.  Brodeur's teammates were happy to see the 40-year-old goalie back in front of the net.

"Scoring a goal and just keeping us in the game the first period ... unbelievable," said center Travis Zajac. "He was awesome tonight."