In order to leave a lasting image, it’s often better to burn out rather than fade away. After more than two decades of hosting Devils practices, South Mountain Arena did just that.
The Devils had laced up for what likely was their last practice at the West Orange, N.J., arena yesterday before their move to a new facility in Newark, when practice was cancelled due to a blackout that occurred after a transformer blew outside the facility, electrical wires went down and a small fire ignited in the parking lot.
“Shut the lights [and] just move on,” goaltender Martin Brodeur joked.
Defenseman Paul Martin rose to the occasion to give an assist to which he’s unaccustomed.
“Everyone was running out there for their cars in a big state of panic,” Martin said. “I was the only one out there without skates on, so I tried to hobble out there and move some cars.”
Though Martin’s valet gig may have been a one-day stint, the defenseman is uncertain whether he will be able to return to his day job and provide a surge of power against the Islanders tonight at the Prudential Center. Martin left Wednesday night’s 4-2 loss to the Rangers in the first period with what he called a lower-body injury.
“I want to [play]. I’m sure it’ll depend on tomorrow before pre-game skate as far as movement and how it feels,” Martin said. “I don’t know what the percent would be [on playing].”
Martin acknowledged there has been some improvement after he received treatment for the injury.
“It feels better now than it did last night and early this morning,” Martin said. “It’s just been aggravated. There’s always muscles that are gonna try and compensate for where the injury is and everything kinda gets off line.”
Dealing with defensive struggles, the Devils cannot afford to lose Martin, but they are prepared to play without him if he can’t suit up.
“Not just one guy is gonna replace him,” defenseman Andy Greene said. “He kinda leads us out there . . . We all have to kinda take a step up in the leadership role now too.”
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Brodeur will have his third opportunity to become the second goaltender, after Patrick Roy, to collect 500 career wins.