New Jersey Devils: Cory Schneider Changed His Career In Three Games

Cory Schneider looked like he might be done as the starter for the New Jersey Devils just one week ago. Two games is all it takes to change the trajectory of his career.

The New Jersey Devils rode Keith Kinkaid down the stretch. Cory Schneider wasn’t able to even finish games during their run to the playoffs. In his last meaningful game of the season, (ignoring the last game against the Washington Capitals where the Devils sat everybody) Schneider allowed four goals against the San Jose Sharks on just 14 shots.

Schneider was terrible in 2018. He literally won zero regular season games. He had zero games where his save percentage was over .900. Think about that. He played 10 games, and he couldn’t even reach his season average save percentage in any of them. This wasn’t a #GoalsForCory issue, this was an issue with the player in between the pipes.

Then, the playoffs happened. The Devils obviously went with Keith Kinkaid to start. He was their workhorse down the stretch, and the team doesn’t make the playoffs without him. Kinkaid earned his shot. He also lost it. Say what you want about the shots against him, Kinkaid did not give the Devils a chance to win in the first two games. He allowed nine goals on 46 shots. Sure, those were really good shots, but in the playoffs you need a netminder who can steal some goals.

Schneider replaced Kinkaid midway through the second game. He’s been insane since then. In two and a half games, Schneider has a .951 save percentage. That’s an insane stretch by the Devils netminder. Only Marc-Andre Fleury and Martin Jones, who both swept their series, have a better save percentage out of the starters.

It’s not even like Schneider has faced easy shots. This is the same defense that allowed those crazy chances against Kinkaid. The best save of the series came when Schneider dove across the crease and stopped Cedric Paquette with his glove.

Then, his most important save of the season came on Tyler Johnson. Game three was tied one to one, and the Lightning were trying to regain the momentum. Schneider stopped the rebound with a perfect glove save.

Listen, three games a career does not make. However, the conversation this offseason was going to be dominated by “what do we do with Cory Schneider?’ Now, it’s almost certain the Devils will go with him as the starter once again next season.

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Honestly, I still have faith in Schneider. He can be the Devils starter. What he can’t do anymore is play 10 games in a row. The Devils have to do a better job of protecting their 32-year-old goalie. How crazy it is that we’re here. Just one week ago, the entire Devils fanbase was ready to move on.