Conversation so far:
What team did Martin play for in 1995?
After a year of success, the Devils were in the middle of the pack for most of the 1995-96 season and barely missed the playoffs.
How was his performance that year?
Brodeur played in 74 of his team's 82 games, setting a single-season record for most minutes played by a goalie, while having the 2nd-most shutouts (6) in the league.
Did he receive any awards for that year?
league.
He was named the starter in the All-Star Game for the Eastern Conference and stopped all 12 shots he faced.
He finished fourth in voting for the Vezina Trophy.
Who did he play for the next season?
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.
Did he play any notable games during this season?
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.

Question: Who beat out the Devils to go to the championship that year?
Self-contained rewrite: Who beat out the Devils to go to the championship in 1996?