Return of Devils G Brodeur still uncertain

Feb 24, 2009 - 8:20 PM NEWARK, New Jersey (Ticker) -- New Jersey Devils coach Brent Sutter said Tuesday he has not decided when he will allow goaltender Martin Brodeur to return to the lineup.

Brodeur practiced again Tuesday and has targeted Thursday's game against Colorado as his return. However, Sutter refused to make such a commitment.

Thursday's begins a homestand in which New Jersey will play three games in four nights.

"Can it be Thursday? Possibly," Sutter said. "Can it be Saturday? Possibly."

The 36-year-old Brodeur went through another intense practice Tuesday, which included a bump from teammate Brian Gionta.

"It feels better just having guys around me, a lot more bodies," Brodeur said. "I got run into by Gio. I don't know if that really counts, but I still got hit by somebody. It's body contact being around the guys, playing the game and quick reaction for rebounds. Finding shots through traffic with bodies in front of me. It was good."

Brodeur tore a tendon in his left arm in a November 1 game against the Atlanta Thrashers and

underwent surgery to re-attach the tendon.

It was the first major setback in a 15-year career for the three-time Stanley Cup winner, who was nearing a pair of prestigious records prior to suffering the injury.

With 544 career wins, Brodeur is just eight away from breaking Patrick Roy's all-time NHL record. He needs five shutouts to match Terry Sawchuk's league mark of 103.