Martin Brodeur, presumably while listening to "Triple-H's" theme song

Between violent hits, big upsets, the Kings’ dominance and other story lines, there has been plenty to talk about so far in this year’s NHL playoffs.

One of the topics (players) that I don’t think people have talked about or are talking about enough, though, is Martin Brodeur.

When athletes who have had as successful a career as Brodeur begin to age, we usually only continue to talk about them if they find a way to maintain their level of excellence at a crazy age or if they totally fall off a cliff. When they simply become solid veteran players, we almost forget they exist until they retire or are inducted into the Hall of Fame.

That’s what it seems has happened with Brodeur this post-season.

He wasn’t excellent on Wednesday night in Game 5 against the Rangers, but he was good enough to win.

He hasn’t been close to the Brodeur of the 90′s and early 2000′s, understandably so, but he has been pretty good over the last six weeks. In fact, Brodeur is probably enjoying his best post-season performance since he led the Devils to their third Stanley Cup in 2003.

In 17 games of the 2012 Playoffs so far, Brodeur has compiled an 11-5 record with a 2.04 goals against average and a .921 save percentage. Those numbers aren’t off the charts, but the guy’s been good enough to have his team within a game of the Stanley Cup Final, and nearly half of those starts have come after his 40th birthday.

Considering his age, his minutes logged over a Hall of Fame career and everything he’s already accomplished, I’d say his solid performance in this post-season warrants a little more attention.

Now here are some links to start your morning:

• Marty and the Devils face the ghosts of 1994 (New York Post). I was just barely old enough to remember that series vividly, but it’s the first thing that crossed my mind when the final horn sounded last night.
• The Devils may hold the series lead, but the differences between them and the Rangers are microscopic (Sporting News).
• Regardless of their opponent, the Kings should be favored in the Stanley Cup Final (RantSports.com). 100 per cent agree here, regardless of the regular season records, seeding and home ice advantage.
• The Kings are on a record pace (Toronto Sun).
• Many Kings’ faces have familiar look (UnionLeader.com).
• Have you heard the radio call of Dustin Penner’s goal? (LA Kings Insider) I’ll be honest, I was expecting much more excitement.
• Alain Vigneault will continue infuriating Canucks fans with his damn winning (The Vancouver Sun).
• Tom Renney is still an Oilers fan, even if it’s from a distance (Edmonton Journal).
• Mikael Granlund joins the largest population of Finns in North America by signing with Minnesota (The Hockey Writers). What, you didn’t know that the Twin Cities is a Scandinavian hotbed?
• CBC’s ‘While the Men Watch Hockey Night” announcement sets off backlash over sexism (Puck Daddy). How in the world did the CBC think this was a good idea?
• Remember this? It’s 17-years-old, but I feel it’s about to get some serious play time if the Devils can grab another W. “Don’t mess with the Devil, buddy!”