Pucks and Pitchforks
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New Jersey Devils: 12 Gifts From Team This Christmas Season

By Nick Villano

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 29: NJ Devil of the New Jersey Devils celebrates during the mascot showdown prior to the 2017 Honda NHL All-Star Game at Staples Center on January 29, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 29: NJ Devil of the New Jersey Devils celebrates during the mascot showdown prior to the 2017 Honda NHL All-Star Game at Staples Center on January 29, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Gift #4: Cory Schneider’s Bounce Back

Devils fans were bullish about the team’s goaltender situation coming into the season. Cory Schneider was coming off his worst season of his career. After being put in the discussion for one of the best netminders in the NHL in 2015-16, he fell off the map last season.

This year, the old Cory is back.

Right now, Schneider is four wins away from last season’s total. That’s not a joke. Obviously, there is more to wins than just a goalie, but that stat is telling. Schneider was not the go-to player last year. He allowed 163 goals. Two years earlier, he allowed 15 less on 200 more shots.

It was clear he wasn’t on his game. This season, he’s much different.

Just look at his save percentage. His .922 is exactly his career average. He’s back to the player than can steal games against good teams.

Just look at his game against Chicago. In the second period alone, he faced 22 shots and only allowed one goal. He was the main reason the Devils went into Christmas break with a win. That’s the best gift of all.

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