The Penguins' Marc-Andre Fleury is among a legion of goaltenders from tots to pros who have great admiration for New Jersey's Martin Brodeur, and he's among the limited number of NHL goaltenders who get to play against Brodeur, as he did last night at Mellon Arena.

"It's always pretty cool," Fleury said. "He's somebody you always look up to, so it's good to be on the ice with him and just be able to watch him play and see how he moves around.

"He's a [role] model, one of the best goalies to ever play the game."

Brodeur appreciates the stream of accolades, which have increased since he passed Patrick Roy last month to become the NHL's winningest goaltender. He went into last night with 553 career wins.

Being an icon also reminds Brodeur he is 36.

"It makes me feel old," he said. "On the other hand, I've looked up to other goalies that I've played against. That's the beauty of our game. Because of the longevity of certain players, you're able to play against guys that you look up to.

"For me, I love playing the game. I love still being here, playing on a good team."

No visor for Eaton

Penguins defenseman Mark Eaton played last night with several stitches in his nose and under his jaw, but he did not consider adding a visor to his helmet.

Nor does he believe that the hit into the boards by the New York Rangers' Colton Orr would have caused less damage if he wore a shield.

"It wouldn't have made a difference in this case," he said.

Eaton tried a visor earlier this season and for part of last season but took it off because he had a difficult time adjusting to wearing it.

"It can be kind of a nuisance sometimes," he said.

Playoff ticket sale

Penguins individual game tickets for the first two games of the Stanley Cup playoffs go on sale at 10 a.m. Tuesday at www.ticketmaster.com, by calling 1-800-745-3000, or in person at Ticketmaster locations and the Mellon Arena Gate One box office.

About 2,000 tickets will be available for each game, with a limit of five tickets per fan. A lottery system will be used at in-person locations.

Adams returns to lineup

Penguins winger Craig Adams, a healthy scratch the previous three games and for six of his first 11 games with the Penguins, returned to the lineup. He was a frequent scratch with Chicago before the Penguins claimed him off waivers.

"It's been a pretty tough year in that regard, so any chance I get to get in there, I'm excited," Adams said. "I'll be ready when they need me, where they need me."

The Penguins scratched winger Eric Godard and defenseman Philippe Boucher.

Slap shots

Devils winger and second-leading scorer Patrik Elias missed the game because of a nagging minor leg injury. "He's too sore to play," New Jersey coach Brent Sutter said. "We don't want any excuses out there. You can either play and go all out or you can't play." ... New Jersey also scratched defensemen Jay Leach and Andy Greene. ... Shattuck-St. Mary's, the school where Penguins center Sidney Crosby and New Jersey winger Zach Parise played, is in town for the USA Hockey under-18 national championships and visited the arena to watch the Penguins' morning skate. Parise was disappointed the team had to leave before the Devils' morning skate.