As he has done for each of the games Martin Brodeur has been sidelined due to a wonky back, Johan Hedberg will start in goal for the Devils. He will be between the pipes for Saturday afternoon's contest against the Sabres. Brodeur would be back in action as soon as Monday, so Hedberg's run as starter could come to an abrupt stop.

Johan Hedberg thinks the Devils must stay optimistic to climb out of their funk. They've lost three in a row and five of their last six. "You have to. No one is feeling sorry for us. We're the only ones that can change it," Hedberg said. "If we keep doing what we were doing a lot of the time tonight, we're going to get it. It's funny. When things are going your way, the puck finds a way in. When they don't, it doesn't. It's going to change. We just have to battle hard and work as hard as we can. Our luck is going to turn for us." Hedberg is winless in his last four starts, and he's got a 2.56 goals-against average and .900 save percentage on the year.

Johan Hedberg allowed two goals on 20 shots in the Devils' 3-1 loss to Winnipeg Thursday night. Hedberg continues to see time in goal while Martin Brodeur nurses a back ailment, but the loss is the fourth straight defeat for the veteran. Look for Brodeur to reclaim his role once his health permits.

Johan Hedberg will be between the pipes for New Jersey Thursday at Winnipeg. Martin Brodeur is nursing back injury, so Hedberg will handle the goaltending duties for the Devils until Brodeur is able to return. Hedberg has allowed 14 goals against in his past three appearances, all of them losses.

Devils coach Pete DeBoer isn't concerned about Johan Hedberg after the goaltender lost his third straight start. Hedberg has allowed 14 goals over those three games. "I don't know if he's been struggling," DeBoer said. "He's not getting any support from an offensive point of view. We're scoring one, maybe two goals like tonight, when he's in the net. It's tough to win games when you're not putting the puck in at the other end. We're not losing games because of Johan Hedberg. We've gone dry offensively and the other teams have been opportunistic." Either way, Hedberg should put up far better numbers overall than his last three starts might suggest.

Johan Hedberg blocked just 23 of 27 shots in New Jersey's 4-2 loss to the Jets on Sunday afternoon. The Devils need much more from their back-up netminder. With Martin Brodeur nursing some soreness, Hedberg received his second straight start -- and it was his second straight subpar effort. In fact, in his last three outings, he has given up 14 goals.

Johan Hedberg kicked out 21 of 26 shots in 5-1 defeat Saturday afternoon. Hedberg has allowed five goals in each of his last two starts. Martin Brodeur will get the bulk of the starts this season, but Hedberg should continue to get a handful of starts a month.

Despite the fact that Martin Brodeur defeated the Capitals Thursday night, Johan Hedberg will be between the pipes against Washington Saturday afternoon. We reported this on Friday, but wanted to remind you to make the appropriate changes to your lineup as this is an afternoon game which starts at 12:00 noon ET.

Johan Hedberg will start for the New Jersey Devils on Saturday. Hedberg has a 1.72 GAA and .935 save percentage in four starts this season. He will be looking to bounce back after allowing five goals on 33 shots in his last contest.

Johan Hedberg kicked out 28 of 33 shots in a 5-1 loss Saturday night. Hedberg had a 0.65 GAA and .973 save percentage in his first three starts. This outing was the exception rather than the rule, but either way, he's not about to steal the starting job from Martin Brodeur.