Devils come up two wins shy of fourth Stanley Cup

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - After losing the Stanley Cup Finals to the Colorado Avalanche in 2001, and failing to win consecutive titles, a frustrated and miffed Martin Brodeur refused to talk to the media.

In many ways, Marty is a lot different 11 years later. The ever-present smile is still there ... even after a loss.

Not only did the three-time Cup winning goaltender talk after the Devils were eliminated from the final round Monday night to the Los Angeles Kings in six games, the 40-year-old said just what Devils' fans wanted to hear after this magical season - he wants another season in New Jersey.

And why not?

A year after missing the playoffs for the first time since 1996, the Devils returned to the elite ranks of the NHL under new coach Peter DeBoer, only to come up two wins shy of what would have been the franchise's fourth Cup.