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Minus Brodeur, Devils seek to end futility in Detroit

Nov 8, 2008 - 2:38 PM New Jersey (7-3-2) at Detroit (8-2-2) 7:00 pm. EST

DETROIT (Ticker) -- Kevin Weekes has been up to the task of replacing Martin Brodeur, but he will be put to the ultimate test on Saturday when the New Jersey Devils clash with the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings.

The Devils' four-time Vezina Award winning goaltender had surgery to repair a torn biceps tendon on Thursday and will be out until February. Brodeur was injured last Saturday against Atlanta while making glove save on a shot that was going wide of the net.

New Jersey turns to Weekes in hopes that he can help it tread water until Brodeur returns.

The 33-year-old has been solid in two starts since Brodeur went down, and will try and help the Devils to their first win in Detroit in nearly 12 years. He stopped 24 shots in a 4-3 shootout win over Tampa Bay on Wednesday.

However, Weekes may not fare as well in this one. He is 0-6-0 with one tie and a 4.60 goals-against average vs. Detroit. That doesn't bode well for the Devils, who have lost seven straight road games to the Red Wings.

New Jersey hopes it can end that streak against a Detroit team that may be rusty following a six-day layoff. The Red Wings have not taken the ice since a 3-2 win over Vancouver on Sunday. Henrik Zetterberg scored one of Detroit's three power-play tallies.

The Red Wings have not lost to New Jersey here since a 2-0 setback on November 6, 1996. It is the first meeting at Joe Louis Arena since 2005.