Brodeur does the splits against Anaheim in Game 2 of the 2003 Stanley Cup final.

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newjerseydevils.com (May 29) – Considering all the pressure that comes from being on the National Hockey League's biggest stage, a goaltender's own nerves can be as tough to overcome as any opponent in the Stanley Cup final.

Brodeur posted back-to-back shutouts to open the 2003 Stanley Cup final.

Responding to that pressure with back-to-back shutouts? That's about as good as it gets.

It hasn't happened too often in NHL history, but before Detroit's Chris Osgood did it this year against Pittsburgh, the feat of blanking an opponent twice to open a Cup final was last accomplished by Devils netminder Martin Brodeur.

It was on this day five years ago that Brodeur made 16 saves to lead New Jersey to a 3-0 win over the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in Game 2 of the 2003 Stanley Cup final.

Patrik Elias' power-play goal at the 4:42 mark of the second period was all the offense the Devils would need to secure a 2-0 series advantage.

Jeff Friesen's tally 4:22 into the third period iced New Jersey's second straight win at the Meadowlands, as the Devils outshot the Ducks, 12-7, in the final frame.

Brodeur became the first goalie to record consecutive shutouts in a final since Detroit's Terry Sawchuk in 1952, and the first to produce shutouts in the first  two games of a final since Toronto's Frank McCool in 1945.

He registered his third shutout of the series with a 3-0 decision over the Ducks in Game 7, clinching New Jersey's third championship and setting an NHL record with seven shutouts in one postseason. Only two other goaltenders in league history (Clint Benedict in 1926 and McCool in 1945) have collected three shutouts in a Cup final.

Brodeur finished the series with a .925 save percentage and a 1.73 goals-against average to improve to 15-9 with a 1.87 goals-against average in 24 career appearances in the Stanley Cup final.