Dominant in the playoffs
The sheer quality of Brodeur's play may have dipped for short periods of time over the last couple of years, but he always seems to be able to ramp up for the majority of games that he plays.

And ramping up with Brodeur seems to find a whole new level come the postseason. No team wants to face Brodeur when the stakes are at their highest.

Scoring on Brodeur in the spring is one tough task. He holds the record for most shutouts in one playoff year, chalking up seven in 24 games in 2003. And he is second on the all-time list for shutouts in the postseason with 21 — which is just two behind Roy's 23.

Jaromir Jagr of the Rangers went against Brodeur last spring when New Jersey swept New York out of the playoffs in the first round. Said Jagr of Brodeur, "His net gets smaller when the games get bigger."

In that New York-New Jersey series, Brodeur started his 137th straight playoff game, breaking Roy's NHL record for netminders. And he hasn't just been durable in the playoffs, he's been phenomenal as his career postseason numbers for wins (89), shutouts (21) and Stanley Cups (3) will attest.

Other factors in his success
Brodeur is very solid physically and very strong. He is seldom injured. So his body hasn't been torn apart like those of a lot of other goalies his age. 

Another advantage he has is the quality of the Devils' organization that he has been able to play in. I don't care if you are the best goalie in the world, if you are playing on a weak team and for a weak organization, you don't have a chance.

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Even at times in the past when you would look at the Devils roster and want to write them off, they always find a way to be competitive, and naturally a big part of that has been the play of Brodeur.

Brodeur is as intensely loyal to the Devils organization as it has been to him. Together they are a perfect fit, and one that should continue to enjoy success as Brodeur marches on towards a well-earned place in the NHL record book among the goaltending elite.