 In the 1994 – 95 NHL season , which was shortened to 48 games due to a four @-@ month lockout , the Devils finished tied for 9th overall , 5th in their conference , and they were not considered a Stanley Cup contender . With the leadership of Brodeur , they defeated the Boston Bruins in the 1st round , shutting them out in three of their four wins . In the second round against Pittsburgh , Brodeur gave up only eight goals and helped the Devils defeat the Penguins in five games . In the third round , the Devils defeated Philadelphia in six games , giving them their first Stanley Cup Final appearance in franchise history , against the heavily favoured Detroit Red Wings . The strong play of Brodeur and the Devils ' infamous " trap " method made the series lopsided in favour of New Jersey , who swept the Red Wings 4 games to 0 while holding them to only seven goals in four games . Brodeur won a Stanley Cup in only his second full season in the NHL . After the victory , he was quoted as saying : 
