Martin Brodeur injury: Goalie leaves ice with "soreness" during warmups

Martin Brodeur was the expected starter for the New Jersey Devils on Sunday against the Winnipeg Jets, but he left the ice early in warmups and didn't return, and Johan Hedberg started the game instead.

Hedberg played Saturday against the Washington Capitals and gave up five goals.

The Devils didn't give out much information regarding Brodeur's injury on Sunday, only saying he had "a little soreness, will be re-evaluated tomorrow."

So far this season Brodeur has been posting decent, though not spectacular, stats. Through 13 games played he has a GAA of 2.27 and a save percentage of .911.

New Jersey entered Sunday's action tied with the Atlantic Division leaders Pittsburgh with 24 points, though the Penguins had two more wins. Even at 40 years of age, Brodeur is still a critical part of the Devils' success, so New Jersey fans should have their fingers crossed that his "soreness" really does turn out to be something minor.

UPDATE: Brodeur revealed after the game that he has been nursing a sore back for the past few days.

More in the NHL:

• Are these the Winter Classic jerseys?

• The end of an era in Buffalo

• How reliable is NHL.com's shot tracker?

• Solving the Sharks' goal-scoring woes