Cory Schneider Shows Why New Jersey Devils’ Fans Shouldn’t Lose Faith
By Nick Villano
Cory Schneider made some miraculous saves to keep the New Jersey Devils alive in an overtime win against the rival New York Rangers. It’s only one game, but he proved how valuable he can be to the future of this franchise.
It was a moment most New Jersey Devils’ fans thought wouldn’t happen this season. A win in the rivalry against the team’s biggest rivals, the New York Rangers. Two straight losses in extra time (one in overtime and one in the shootout) just accentuated the pain that was this season. At least for one night, the Devils were winners against the Rangers.
This win is entirely on the broad shoulders of goalie Cory Schneider.
The hate on the Devils’ goalie has been louder than ever. He is having his first real down season since he was traded to the team at the 2013 NHL Draft. This is the first time since he became an NHL regular that his save percentage is below 92%. He’s allowing about a half-goal per game more than he’s ever allowed before.
There are obvious reasons why his numbers are down, besides broken confidence. The defenders in front of him just aren’t very good. He’s constantly screened, and has been bad at allowing goals against defensive slap shots.
Then came the game on Tuesday night. After his head coach John Hynes said he was giving his backup Keith Kinkaid more games, even playing him both games of back to backs, Schneider showed why that shouldn’t be the case.
Schneider came into the season as the hope for a fanbase. After a season where he seemed to carry the team by himself, this season he’s been a liability. Then he has these games where he is the reason the team has any chance.
Against the Rangers, he stopped 38 of 40 shots. During the 3-on-3 overtime period, he had one of the best saves of the season. He stonewalled Kevin Hayes after a beautiful deke. He literally stopped Hayes with his toe.
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Not only that, Schneider made an underrated rebound save while on the ice, putting out his arm to keep the puck out of the neck.
There is no hope for the Devils this season. The playoffs are beyond out of the question, and the goal of the season is to play for next year. Schneider needs to be a major plan for next year. There is no trade the Devils should accept in exchange for their starting goalie. He can easily bounce back from a bad season. At only 31 years old, he has plenty of years left as a starter. The Devils need to focus the offseason on building talent around him, and the rest of the skilled players already on the roster.