They won the Calder Trophy a year apart, and since the 1994-95 season they have been fixtures for their respective franchises. Martin Brodeur and Daniel Alfredsson have had many battles over the years, and despite the fact that both are still very good NHLers, the odds are that Monday’s matchup could be the final time the two warriors square off at Scotiabank Place.
Feb 18, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; Ottawa Senators right wing Daniel Alfredsson (11) scores a goal on New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur (30) during the third period at the Prudential Center. The Senators won 2-1 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Brodeur has played against Ottawa 65 times over his career, posting a 36-22-2 record with a GAA of 2.18 and a SP of .917 in the regular season. He has shut out the Senators 6 times in the regular season and once in the playoffs.
Alfredsson has played against New Jersey 60 times in his career, putting up 16 goals and 27 assists.
Obviously the two were not in the lineup every time the teams went head to head, but for the most part they have been involved in a majority of the battles between the two clubs. That includes the 3 playoff series that Ottawa has faced New Jersey. Alfredsson and Ottawa have eliminated the Devils from the postseason on two occasions, while Brodeur and the Devils have turned the favour once.
Some memorable moments from the Alfredsson vs Brodeur playoff matchups over the years include:
- Alfredsson’s hat trick in game 4 of the 1998 Playoffs, to give Ottawa a 3-1 series lead, they went on to win the series 4-2
- Brodeur’s 24 save shutout in game 3 of the 2003 playoffs to give New Jersey a 2-1 series lead, and they went on to win the series in 7 games en route to a Stanley Cup win over the Ducks
- Alfredsson scores the series winning goal in game 5 of the 2007 second round to send the Senators to the Eastern conference final. They went on to the Stanley Cup finals, losing to the Ducks
I am not saying that either one will retire after this season, but these two players have played their entire careers in their respective cities and have been the faces of their respective franchises for so long. They have had their monumental showdowns over the years, and they will meet again in New Jersey later this season and they could meet in the playoffs. But also, Monday COULD very well be the last time they ever face one another in Ottawa.