 In the 1998 – 99 season , the Devils finished first in the Eastern Conference for the third straight year , with Brodeur winning 39 games . He was among the contenders for the Vezina Trophy and started in the All @-@ Star game , making his fourth appearance . However , the Devils lost in the first round to the Penguins . It was the worst playoff performance in Brodeur 's five @-@ year career , as he allowed 20 goals in seven games with an .856 save percentage . 
