 In the 1996 – 97 season , the Devils finished 3rd in the NHL . Brodeur was runner @-@ up for the Vezina Trophy , was named to the All @-@ Star team , and had the lowest goals against average by a goalie in almost 30 years , earning him the Jennings Trophy . He also had 10 shutouts and a .927 save percentage . On April 17 , 1997 , in the first game of a first @-@ round playoff matchup against the Montreal Canadiens , Brodeur fired the puck the length of the ice and into the Canadiens ' empty net to ensure a 5 – 2 victory . It was only the second time in NHL history that a goaltender had scored in the playoffs , and the fifth time overall . The Devils went on to win that series , but lost in the second round to the rival New York Rangers . 
