Former Canucks goalie Cory Scheider aims to take down his old team and help lead the New Jersey Devils to win tonight.
By Patrick Comia
Sometimes, it’s hard to let go of the past. However, in Cory Schneider‘s case, not so much.
It’s been one and half seasons since the goalie wore the blue and green sweater for Vancouver. After several years of trying to establish himself as a starting goalie in the NHL, he finally got that chance when he was traded to his present home in New Jersey.
And though he had to play under a future Hall of Famer, Schneider knew his time would come. And, it has with him not looking back.
The goalie has established himself as one of the premier netminders in the NHL, helping to rejuvenate a Devils team that had fallen on hard times since their Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2012.
Left for dead by everyone around them, New Jersey has been a force to be reckon with. They are playing a faster, up-tempo style of game that has been sorely missing in seasons past.
The experiment with first-year head coach John Hynes has been paying dividends, leading the team to a 7-5-1 record and making other teams see “red” with frustration.
In their past 10 games, the Devils are 7-2-1. They have won the seven of their past nine games, dating back to October 18th with a shootout win over the rival New York Rangers, which kick-started their recent success.
New Jersey’s player with the hot hand is Kyle Palmieri. In his past five games, he has seven points (three goals, four assists), scoring points in four of those. Heading into tonight, the former Anaheim Ducks forward is on a two-game point streak and will be looking to extend that streak tonight.
In his career, the Devils forward has not seen a whole lot of success against the Canucks. In 11 games played against Vancouver, Palmieri has just three goals, two points. However, this season with the Devils he finds himself as one of the leaders on a up-and-coming team that is making strides in the right direction: WINNING.
That motivation should propel the veteran forward to even greater heights tonight.
As of yesterday, Hynes was undecided on whom to start in net versus the Canucks.
Hynes said he discussed it with Schneider and Schneider didn’t think it was a big deal if he started/didn’t start vs. his former team.
— Tom Gulitti (@TGfireandice) November 7, 2015
Schneider remarked:
Schneider on facing Canucks: “It’s been a couple years now. It’s run its course, especially here as compared to in Vanvouver.”
— Tom Gulitti (@TGfireandice) November 7, 2015
With that said, fans should expect backup goaltender Keith Kinkaid between the pipes tonight, even though it is not a definite.
Kinkaid said he was told to be prepared to play Sunday, but not that he’s definitely playing.
— Tom Gulitti (@TGfireandice) November 7, 2015
But with New Jersey, expect the unexpected.
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