New Jersey Devils Three Headed Goalie Monster of Sub-Mediocrity
By Ed Stein
Sub-par goaltending in 2018-19 has condemned the New Jersey Devils to the bottom of the NHL standings. Coach John Hynes has used three different netminders this year and none has been consistent.
The New Jersey Devils have toiled near the bottom of this years NHL standings. As of now, the Devils have the second-best chance of winning the overall number one pick in the 2019 draft, a.k.a the Jack Hughes Sweepstakes. That’s a far cry from preseason expectations.
Part of their downfall from 2017-18 playoff team to 2018-19 flop is due to their poor goaltending. New Jersey has three goalies that have seen playing time this year and none of them have stood out in the league not to mention over each other. As a matter of fact, it’s fair to say the combination of Cory Schneider, Keith Kinkaid, and rookie MacKenzie Blackwood has been very underwhelming.
Cory Schneider
Until his injury issues last season, New Jersey Devils former number one Cory Schneider was among the top goalies in the NHL. Granted his 2016-17 season was less than stellar, but on December 29, 2017, Schneider was 17-6-5, with a 2.54 goals against average (GAA), and .921 save percentage (SV%). Injuries and inconsistency blew up the rest of his season. He finished 17-16-6, 2.93 GAA, and .908 SV%.
It’s gone from bad to worse this year. In nine appearance, and 373 minutes so far, he has allowed 29 goals. Schneider has developed the goalie equivalent of the yips. It happens to professional athletes, see Steve Blass, Chuck Knoblauch, David Duvall, and Blair Walsh to name a few. The condition can be beaten, but it takes hard work.
He’ll get his chance now that he is healthy. How long of a leash does he have?