Not to diminish the opponents from Cory Schneider’s first three starts in his return to the NHL, but Friday served as his first big test.
Road ins over the Detroit Red Wings and Anaheim Ducks, plus an overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks, were all positive stepping stones, but all three teams sit in the bottom five of the NHL standings. Friday gave Schneider a chance against the St. Louis Blues — the defending Stanley Cup champions and winners of eight straight games.
And like his past three starts, Friday was another quality outing.
Schneider’s 31 saves anchored a 4-2 Devils win at Prudential Center in Newark, and it gave Schneider his first home win of the season in his first start at The Rock since October.
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As Schneider grinded away in the AHL to make an NHL return, he occasionally mentioned his young son, who had been asking when he could see his dad play in New Jersey again. Schneider’s wife and two children were in the building on Friday, able to see the culmination of a long road back.
“It’s always nice to win, regardless. Doesn’t matter when or where, against whom," Schneider said. "So for me it’s just it’s just nice to be rewarded. But it’s not satisfying yet in terms of my game. Just want to keep at it and keep playing well and giving us a chance to win. So I think enjoy it for the night but kind of move on to the next one and just get ready because again the schedule’s pretty tough here for us down the stretch, so we can’t we can’t take any for granted.”
In his four games since being recalled the NHL, Schneider has stopped 119 of 125 shots, good for a .951 save percentage and 1.50 GAA in four outings.
After Schneider’s wins, the satisfaction inside the Devils’ wins has been palpable. Schneider’s teammates want to see him succeed as much as he does. Few have shown more joy than fellow goalie Mackenzie Blackwood, who has quickly jumped off the bench to hug Schneider after each outing.
Thanks to some injuries and the Devils’ trade deadline moves, some of the players who played with Schneider in the AHL are now also with the big club, and they’ve seen his work carry over.
“I think his play is really speaking for itself, what he’s doing back there. He was great the whole time he was down there, he really showed that he really didn’t belong down there,” defenseman Dakota Mermis said. “And he’s continue that here. He’s been an elite goaltender for a reason, and he just keeps showing it really.”
Schneider’s season is starting to play out exactly like his 2018-19 campaign in terms of results. A brutal and winless start to the season led to a second-half resurgence, and like last year, Schneider just wants to keep piling up the quality outings.
“You root for him as a player. I know I’ve been through tough times. I can’t speak to Cory’s experience particularly, but you try to handle it as a man for your family, with grace and not taking your work home with you and that kind of thing,” defenseman Connor Carrick said. “He’s been exceptional at that and extremely positive role model in terms of how he’s handled some adversity. The only thing you want to do is play well, and he’s done that and good for him. It’s special to see, and I hope we can be a part of a resurrection for him and get back to where I would think he would want to be.”
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