Brodeur Blanks Ducks Again

2003 Playoffs

"What's important is we're winning," Brodeur said. "You've got to be excited about starting the series like this."

Patrik Elias, Scott Gomez and Jeff Friesen scored for the Devils, who have put the Ducks in a mighty tough position. Only three teams have come back to win the Cup after losing the first two games.

"It's definitely easier to go all the way to California (with a two-game lead)," Brodeur said. "I think we discouraged them a lot by playing solid defense."

Brodeur didn't have to work very hard for his sixth shutout of this year's playoffs. The Ducks couldn't generate much offense before the third period, managing only nine shots in the first two periods.

"If you were to ask me before the series, would you have had two shutouts, I would have said, 'Yeah, right,'" Devils coach Pat Burns said. "You're surprised. Marty's been great. We deserve it."

Anaheim's goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere, who was the Ducks' hero in the first three rounds of playoffs, broke his stick in half in frustration after Jeff Friesen scored his third goal in two games.

"I'm frustrated with myself," Giguere said. "I've got to work better, allow myself to compete harder. And there is no excuse right now. We've got to lay it all on the line."

The series shifts to Anaheim for Games 3 and 4 on Saturday and Monday.