After two strong performances, New Jersey Devils starting goaltender Cory Schneider is looking back in proper form.
- New Jersey Devils 3 (16-16-7, 39 pts)
- Carolina Hurricanes 1 (16-14-7, 39 pts)
- NHL, Final, Box Score
- PNC Arena, Raleigh, North Carolina
After dropping a game to the Capitals, the Devils find themselves with two straight wins. Both wins came with Schneider in goal. Cory Schneider has appeared strong when the team has needed him the most.
On Monday, Schneider shut out the Boston Bruins 2-0. He made 22 saves, locking up his second shutout of the season. Schneider, who has allowed three or more goals in 12 of his last 15 games at that point, needed a strong performance to gain his own confidence back.
His biggest moment came early in the second period, when after stopping Brad Marchand, he made another huge save on Patrice Bergeron with his blocker.
#NJDEVILS WIN! Henrique, Cammy and Palms light the lamp as Schneider racks up 29 saves! #NJDvsCAR pic.twitter.com/BQMoXLjs07
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) January 4, 2017
Tuesday evening, on the road where the Devils have struggled, Schneider put up a near perfect performance when the Devils defeated the Hurricanes 3-1. While his shut out streak ended at 112:24 minutes, Schneider put out a 29 save performance which helped the Devils to their third win in four contests.
What makes Schneider’s performance’s more impressive is that it came when the Devils offense was good and when they were bad.
In the game against the Bruins, the Devils were good for the most part. While the Devils outshot the Bruins 26-22, they were 0-6 on the power play, which has been a thorn in their side all season.
Against Carolina, the Devils were outshot 30-18, but blocked 24 shots. The defense has been inconsistent of the Devils this season, but this game was a rare strong performance. It was just what the team needed, and this confidence is starting to show in the team, and in their goaltenders.
Schneider regaining his confidence is key for the Devils. For the past several seasons, he has been the anchor for the team. Regardless how they have played he always kept him in games with his stellar play. While he has struggled with that this season, these games show a step in the right direction.
This is a year in which the Devils are offensively better. Several additions in past season have turned the team into an offensive threat when everything is clicking. The defense can still be improved on, but that will make the Devils buyers at the trade deadline. That is different than the past few season where they have been buyers.
Like it always has with the Devils, it all starts in goal. If the Devils can get Schneider to be consistently good, like he has been lately, they can turn into contenders. Now that they are back to a .500 record, they can focus on that. It’s not too late in the season where hope has been lost.
He can bail the team out when the offense is off is something they need. He can play top notch when the offense is clicking. His playing isn’t too aggressive, not too conservative, but just right.
Angle? Cammy don't need no stinkin' angle! #NJDvsCAR pic.twitter.com/FbMq6StuKe
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) January 4, 2017
CO-RY! ?? CO-RY! ?? #NJDvsCAR pic.twitter.com/3qexkkY0oD
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) January 4, 2017
It doesn't get much prettier than this. #NJDvsCAR pic.twitter.com/CIYCftNWrb
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) January 4, 2017
Tic-Tac-Toe. #NJDvsCAR pic.twitter.com/l0OpIev972
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) January 4, 2017
