Martin Brodeur's Goal vs Flyers (2013)
The legendary netminder skates forward to score a rare, game-changing empty-netter against Philadelphia.
In the annals of New Jersey Devils history, few moments capture the sheer audacity and desperation of Martin Brodeur's career quite like his goal against the Philadelphia Flyers on April 13, 2013. This event occurred during a pivotal second-round playoff series where the Devils were fighting to stay alive in the Eastern Conference. It stands as one of only two goals ever scored by Brodeur in his illustrious NHL career, marking a rare offensive contribution from a goaltender whose primary legacy was built on defensive dominance.
- Player
- Martin Brodeur
- Opponent
- Philadelphia Flyers
- Date
- April 13, 2013
- Round
- Eastern Conference Semifinals (Game 5)
- Score_at_time
- 4-3 Devils (Final: 6-2)
- Goal_Type
- Empty Net Goal
Lore & Background
The moment is often viewed as the perfect encapsulation of Brodeur's personality: pragmatic yet unpredictable. While he spent decades denying opponents, this specific play showed he could be a weapon when the situation demanded it. The goal helped seal a crucial series win, allowing the Devils to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals and keeping their playoff hopes alive in a season defined by resilience.
In Their Own Story
The ice was slick with tension as the clock wound down on Game 5. With Philadelphia's net empty and the puck loose near the blue line, Brodeur didn't just clear it; he attacked. Skating with surprising grace for a man who had spent his life in pads, he deked past a desperate defender and buried the puck into an open cage, silencing the crowd and electrifying the Prudential Center.
Reader's Guide
On April 13, 2013, the New Jersey Devils faced the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The game was a high-stakes battle with the series tied at two games apiece. Late in the third period, the Devils held a 4-3 lead and pulled their goaltender for an extra attacker to maintain pressure. With just over three minutes remaining, the Flyers' net was empty as they sought an equalizer. A loose puck found its way into the neutral zone, where Martin Brodeur, having cleared his crease after a save, spotted the opportunity. Instead of playing it safe, he skated down the ice with incredible speed. Brodeur entered the offensive zone, deked past a Flyers defenseman, and calmly slid the puck between the legs of the empty-net goalie. The goal extended the lead to 5-3, effectively crushing Philadelphia's momentum. The Devils would eventually win 6-2, taking a 3-2 series lead before ultimately advancing to the next round.
Did You Know?
- This was only the second goal Martin Brodeur ever scored in his entire NHL regular season or playoff career.
- The first goal in Brodeur's career was also an empty-netter, scored against the Ottawa Senators in 2013 just days before this game.
- Brodeur is one of only a handful of goaltenders in history to score multiple goals while playing for the New Jersey Devils.
- The goal occurred during a playoff series that saw the Devils overcome a significant deficit to reach the Eastern Conference Finals.
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