NEWARK, N.J. - For the next three to four months, the New Jersey Devils are going to learn about life without Martin Brodeur.

The 36-year-old Brodeur, a four-time Vezina Trophy winner who is on the verge of becoming the NHL's all-time winningest goaltender, will be sidelined until at least February after tearing a distal biceps in his left elbow last weekend.

Brodeur will undergo surgery Thursday.

“It's shocking because you expect my knee is going to go or my groin or my thumb, something I use as a goalie,” Brodeur said Tuesday in a conference call. “I didn't expect my biceps could be a big factor in an injury. It was a freak accident. That's why I am shocked about the injury. That's not something I expected to hurt.”

The biceps attaches to the big bone (proximal radius) in the forearm at the elbow joint.

Brodeur was injured Saturday against Atlanta making a second-period glove save on a shot that was going wide of the net.

“I just extended my arm real quick and I just felt a pop, and a tapping kind of feeling in my biceps,” said Brodeur, who stayed in the game for another minute before being replaced by Kevin Weekes, the man who will now be asked to take over for the 15-year veteran who has led New Jersey to three Stanley Cups.

The injury was originally diagnosed as a bruised elbow, and Brodeur had hoped that it was not serious because there was no swelling, discoloration and much pain.

Brodeur was taken to see several specialists before being told that the biceps had torn from the elbow and would require surgery.

“This is not a career-ending injury,” Devils president and general manager Lou Lamoriello said. “This is a bump in the road. (He'll have) a total recovery, 100 percent, and with this type of surgery there is no doubt about - and I have total confidence that he will be back in a short period of time.”

Brodeur said it will take two months before he can start moving the elbow again, and then he would begin rehabilitation.

“Then it depends on how it responds,” said Brodeur, who had never had a major injury in his career in which he has played in at least 67 games every NHL season since 1995-96.

“It is an unfortunate situation for me and for my team,” Brodeur said. “It is what it is. My spirits are pretty good. I might as well stay positive. There is no reason to be negative. It is not something that will affect my career. My mobility, nothing is going to be a factor. It is just a question of getting my biceps back into shape.”