A pinched nerve in his neck and upper back sidelined New Jersey's Martin Brodeur for 12 games, and doctors told the NHL's winningest goaltender there was a chance it could have been a lot longer. Brodeur returned to Devils practice for the first time in nearly a month Monday and felt pain-free after working out for an hour at the team's practice rink at the Prudential Center. The 40-year-old will not start against the rival New York Rangers Tuesday night, but he did not rule out backing up Johan Hedberg, who has started every game in his absence.
