Johan Hedberg (back) won't serve as Martin Brodeur's backup Friday night. Hedberg injured his back during Tuesday's practice and has been sidelined since. Rookie Keith Kinkaid will get the call as Brodeur's caddy against Ottawa.

Johan Hedberg won't suit up for Wednesday's game after he was hurt in Tuesday's practice. He is feeling sore following a collision during the session, where his back hit the goal frame. Consider Hedberg day-to-day for now.

Johan Hedberg agrees with NHL goaltending supervisor Kay Whitmore that goalie equipment could use some adjusting. "Not so much with the pads and gloves, but it's in the chest protectors and pants where there's plenty of room to move," Hedberg said. "Some guys look like they're 250 pounds when they're really 175." The New Jersey backup added that shrinking the size of leg pads could be risky because it could lead to more injuries. The highest-scoring teams in the league average just over three goals per game this season, so it's become commonplace to assess goaltending equipment as a solution to increase goal totals.

Johan Hedberg allowed three goals and stopped 19 in a 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers Tuesday. Martin Brodeur watched Tuesday's game from the bench as New Jersey's backup. Hedberg will probably be happy to relinquish the starter role after he posted a 3-8-2 record in Brodeur's absence. His record stands at 5-9-3 with an .886 save percentage and a 2.73 GAA.

Johan Hedberg is expected to start his 11th straight game Friday night when the Devils play in Philadelphia. "I think he's getting it back," coach Pete DeBoer said of the backup keeper's play. "I think part of it is us doing a better job for him in front of him. He seems to be finding his rhythm again." Hedberg has had some shaky moments since taking over the starting job for an injured Martin Brodeur, but he has recorded two straight wins and has looked much steadier. It appears as though he's finally rewarding DeBoer for showing continued faith in him. Hedberg may even get the nod for New Jersey again on Saturday, which would make it three games in four nights for the 39-year-old goaltender.

Johan Hedberg made 23 saves in the Devils' 5-2 win over the Flyers on Wednesday night. Hedberg has now won three of his last four starts, giving up just two goals in each of the wins. What a relief for the Devils after Hedberg had struggled mightily while filling in for Martin Brodeur. That being said, he's still a bit risky in fantasy leagues ... it doesn't actually look like he'll be game-changer at the position anytime soon. The netminder has a 2.90 goals-against average and .882 save percentage on the season.

Johan Hedberg will play between the pipes on Wednesday. With Martin Brodeur sidelined, Hedberg will make his 10th straight start. The Devils have been horrendous since Brodeur got hurt, but to Hedberg's credit, he did come through for the Devils with two shootout victories over their last three games.

Johan Hedberg stopped 23 of 25 shots en route to a 3-2 shootout victory over Winnipeg Sunday. The main man for the Devils with Martin Brodeur on the shelf, Hedberg has certainly had his ups and downs, but he bounced back nicely in this game from the struggles he experienced Saturday against the Hurricanes.

Johan Hedberg will be between the pipes Sunday at home against the Winnipeg Jets. Hedberg continues to see time in goal while Martin Brodeur nurses a sore back. Even if Hedberg has struggled mightily since taking over the starter's job, he's not a terrible play at home in Sunday's contest against the Winnipeg Jets.

Johan Hedberg had another miserable night in net, making only 13 saves in the Devils' 6-3 loss to Carolina on Saturday. The Devils miss Martin Brodeur in a bad way, as New Jersey has won just once since he last played. In the meantime, Hedberg, who gave up all five goals before being pulled for Jeff Frazee in the third, has been a major disaster, with a 3.08 goals-against average and .875 save percentage on the year. Frazee stopped all three shots he faced in 18:36, and he could very well get the team's next start.