Brodeur may soon return from injury

NEWARK, N.J., March 18 (UPI) -- Injured goaltender Martin Brodeur was back on the ice for practice Monday and may return to game action this week, the NHL's New Jersey Devils said.

Brodeur, 40, hasn't appeared in a game since Feb. 21. He was scratched from the lineup Feb. 24 because of back soreness and has since been placed on injured reserve.

The Devils said Monday that Brodeur would likely miss Tuesday's game against the New York Rangers but could return later this week. New Jersey plays at Carolina Thursday and at home Saturday against Florida.

Brodeur is 8-2-3 with a 2.27 goals-against average and one shutout in 13 games this season. Johan Hedberg has played all 12 games since Brodeur was injured, going 3-7-2 in that span.

Brodeur owns the all-time NHL goaltender records for regular-season wins (664), shutouts (120) and games played (1,193). He also has the record for losses (372). He has played his entire career with the Devils.