Newark, NJ (Sports Network) - New Jersey Devilsgoaltender Martin Brodeur underwent surgery Thursday morning to have the distal biceps in his left elbow repaired.
The four-time Vezina Trophy winner is still expected to be sidelined for three to four months.
"According to the doctors, his surgery was 100 percent successful," said Devils president/CEO/general manager Lou Lamoriello in a statement. "The timetable for his return remains three to four months."
Brodeur suffered the injury November 1 in a 6-1 win against Atlanta. He appeared to hurt his elbow reaching for a shot in the second period and soon after fell to the ice clutching his left arm.
After play was halted, Brodeur skated off the ice under his own power. He stopped all five shots he faced before exiting and was credited with the victory, leaving him seven wins shy of Patrick Roy's all-time mark of 551.
Brodeur saw his streak of consecutive regular-season starts end at a career-high 51 games dating back to January 8 of last season. He had made 56 straight starts including the playoffs.
Kevin Weekes is expected to take over the role as the team's primary netminder. He finished up last Saturday's victory, then took the loss in a 2-0 setback against Buffalo on Monday before coming away with a victory in a shoo tout against Tampa Bay on Wednesday.
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The backup, for now, is Scott Clemmensen, who in 28 career NHL games with the Devils and Maple Leafs has a record of 8-7-0-4 with a 2.95 GAA.
