Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur (left) gives instructions to backup Johan Hedberg against the Jets at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., Feb. 24, 2013. (ADAM HUNGER/Reuters)
New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur practised Monday for the first time since going out with a back issue Feb. 24 and could be back Thursday when the Devils face the Carolina Hurricanes.
Brodeur's potential return could be the single biggest impact for a team in this weird season.
Consider this: The Devils were 8-2-3 with him in goal and challenging for top spot in the Eastern Conference.
In has absence, Johan Hedberg is 3-7-2 and will start Tuesday when the Devils face the New York Rangers.
Brodeur told reporters a pinched nerve was causing numbness in his shoulder and arm.
It was a pain somewhere else for the Devils, who were in seventh place in the East going into last night's games.
