The New Jersey Devils are receiving a major boost to their lineup just in time for the stretch drive. Starting goaltender Cory Schneider has missed the past 16 games with groin and hip injuries but will get the nod Thursday when the Devils visit the Florida Panthers.
New Jersey coach John Hynes told reporters Schneider was good to go at Thursday’s skate despite the fact Schneider had not officially been activated from the injured reserve at the time.
The 31-year-old stopped 19 of the 20 shots he faced Tuesday during a conditioning start with the AHL’s Binghamton Devils.
Schneider was 17-11-6 with a 2.79 goals-against average, .913 save percentage and one shutout prior to his injury issues.
The Devils, who went 9-7-0 without Schneider, currently occupy the top wild-card spot in the East and sit just two points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins for third in the Metropolitan Division with a game in hand.
Schneider and the Devils are on the verge of snapping a five-year playoff drought. The team acquired forwards Michael Grabner and Pat Maroon ahead of the trade deadline to add scoring depth.
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