Brodeur on verge of two NHL milestones

New Jersey goaltender Martin Brodeur is on the brink of two National Hockey League milestones as he begins what should be a record-breaking week for the 37-year-old Canadian.

Brodeur recorded his 103rd career shutout on Monday, making 22 saves in a 3-0 triumph at Buffalo that matched him with 1950s and 1960s NHL netminding legend Terry Sawchuk for the all-time shutout mark.

His next shutout will give him sole possession of a record that had stood for 45 years since Sawchuk surpassed George Hainsworth with his 95th shutout back in 1964.

"It's a big number," Brodeur said. "When I look back, and all the numbers of other goalies, it's mind-boggling a little bit. But, especially with hockey changing so much, it's going to get harder and harder to get some."

Brodeur, who leads the NHL this season with 18 triumphs, also needs only five appearances to surpass the NHL goaltender record of 1,029 set by another French-Canadian netminder, Patrick Roy.

Both records could fall during a five-game homestand that starts Wednesday against Carolina. Brodeur shut out the Hurricanes on October 17.

The Devils also host Florida on Friday, Philadelphia on Saturday, Montreal on December 16 and Ottawa on December 18.

Brodeur surpassed Roy as the NHL regular-season win leader with his 552nd triumph on March 17 against Chicago and broke Roy's career minutes played record of 60,235 for goaltenders on November 27 at Boston.

"It's pretty amazing," Devils captain Jamie Langenbrunner said. "It's hard enough to get 100 wins in this league let alone 100 shutouts. Obviously it's pretty special."