Schneider may have sparked playoff goalie controversy for Devils

TAMPA -- Cory Schneider may have restored his status as the New Jersey Devils' No. 1 goaltender following a solid relief performance in a 5-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference First Round at Amalie Arena on Saturday.
Keith Kinkaid, who made his 10th start in the past 11 games and second straight in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, was pulled at 13:12 of the second period after allowing five goals on 15 shots. Kinkaid allowed four goals on nine shots in the period, including three in 2:47.

Schneider entered after Alex Killorn scored his second goal of the game to make it 5-1. He stopped all 10 shots he faced, including a lunging left-pad save against Cedric Paquette at 4:50 of the third period to give the Devils a chance.
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"My main objective was to keep us in it and not give up that next one, and sometimes you've got to make a few saves to do that," Schneider said. "I felt good going in to make a save or two like that, and it feels better. At the same time, it doesn't change what I'm trying to do. I'm trying to feel good about my game and give our team a chance."
Devils coach John Hynes has a decision to make on their goalie for Game 3 of this best-of-7 series that shifts to Prudential Center on Monday (7:30 p.m. ET; CNBC, SN, TVAS2, MSG+, FS-F). The Lightning lead the series 2-0.
Kinkaid helped the Devils clinch their first playoff berth since 2012. The 28-year-old went 7-0-1 with a 2.25 GAA and .931 save percentage in eight straight starts from March 23-April 5. But he has allowed nine goals in his first two NHL playoff games and has a 5.87 GAA and .804 save percentage.

"I thought Cory played well, but I'm not going to speculate on whether we're going to use him or not use him," Hynes said. "If you're asking me about Cory Schneider's performance tonight, he played very well.
"Cory has worked hard, he's a real important part of our team. It was good to give him an opportunity to get in there and I thought he came in and made some huge saves, looked good, looked solid, so that's a positive for us moving forward."
Schneider hasn't won since Dec. 27, 3-1 against the Detroit Red Wings. The 32-year-old struggled in five starts (3.60 goals-against average, .850 save percentage) after returning March 1 from a groin/hip injury that caused him to miss 16 games.
"You always want to play; you always want to start," Schneider said. "Keith did what he could tonight. I don't know if many guys were going to make saves on those goals. Tampa Bay had some really high-skilled plays, but Keith is obviously a big reason why we're in this position.

"Having said that, if coach comes back and says we need you to go, then obviously I'll be ready and excited to play. Whoever is in, we know we'll be ready."
Schneider made nine saves in the third period and remained in the game after taking an accidental stick to the back of his head from teammate Andy Greene at 7:35.
"I just think [Greene] was trying to get his stick free from the guy he was engaged with and came down pretty hard and just happen to be on the top of my head," Schneider said. "It kind of stung me a bit, knocked a few buckles off my helmet. The helmet was about to come off any second, so they blew the whistle there."
Schneider's teammates took notice that his performance Saturday was arguably his best game in four months.
"Cory came in right away, was confident and comfortable, and it was good to see," Greene said. "We have a lot of confidence in him and that was never a doubt. It was good to see, and good for him for being ready. It was a tough situation to come in and he held serve there, coming in and giving us a chance."