New Jersey Devils: This One Is On Cory Schneider

The New Jersey Devils lost to the Winnipeg Jets despite putting up a shot parade against Connor Hellebuyck. While this doesn’t happen often, this loss falls on the shoulders of Cory Schneider.

The New Jersey Devils are holding on to their playoff lives by the skin of their teeth. With the Florida Panthers and Columbus Blue Jackets playing much easier schedules, the Devils need to win the games they have a chance to win. That didn’t happen on Thursday night.

There are so many plays one can point to for the Devils lack of points. Brian Boyle had two beautiful chances in front of the net, and Connor Hellebuyck stopped him with his toe. Michael Grabner had yet another chance alone with the goalie, and yet again missed the net. There were chances aplenty, as usually comes when a team takes 43 shots.

The issue was the man in the other net.

Cory Schneider did not have a good game. It’s just the facts. He faced just 24 shots, and came out allowing three goals. Two of those goals should have been stopped.

The first goal against Scheider was just a defensive breakdown. Somehow, the Devils forgot about Patrick Laine, the Winnipeg Jets best player, and he was able to take his shot just feet in front of the net. It predictably hit the back of the net through Schneider’s five hole.

Give Schneider a pass on that goal. Very few, if any, goalie could have stopped that.

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The second goal is the one I have the biggest issue with. Joel Armia skated the puck up the ice, and took a shot behind the circle, straight ahead to the net. Schneider was slow getting his glove up, and the puck went in the net. Ben Lovejoy was in position, yet Schneider didn’t make the stop on a relatively easy save. I understand that it was shot through a screen, and I understand the Devils just came off a long shift with an injured Travis Zajac. I still need my goalie to stop that shot.

The third goal was a little more forgivable, but it still came with bad optics. Damon Severson had an awful turnover in his own zone. The shot off the turnover hit the post, and Schneider completely lost it. He didn’t move back into his net. Then, Nikolaj Ehlers had a wide open net to get his game-winning goal.

Cory knew this game was on him. He told Chris Ryan as much in the postgame interview.

"“They deserve better from me. It’s not fair to my teammates to have other goalies come in here and outplay me on a regular basis lately. So it’s just not good enough by me by any means. ”"

I still believe the Devils have the best chance to win with Schneider in net. Sure, he’s allowed three goals in most games. And yes, he’s lost 10 straight games. Tonight was his fourth straight 3-2 loss.

In fact, he hasn’t won a game since the Devils won five straight at home in December. It doesn’t matter. Schneider played well enough to win against the Panthers and Golden Knights, but was hit by some serious bad luck. That won’t last.

The next game comes against the Nashville Predators, who have won 10 straight. Hopefully it can be a streak-ending night.

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