Todd Cordell: Schneider's struggles continue as Devils get blown out by Sharks

Good read Todd. Absolutely Schneids was a major let down. He let in 2 wristers from beyond the house that he had a clean look at. Just not good enough, but neither was our D. Also, what has happened to Bratt's major decline???? Hopefully a little rest, and some strong performances at home get the devs back on track.

Well maybe we’ll win the draft lottery again..

Schneider has had confidence issues before. When he was with Vancouver, he came in in relief during the 1st Round against the Sharks and was abysmal due to his lack of confidence which was readily apparent.
Hall was impressive last night and yes, the Devils had numerous scoring chances which were blocked, went wide, or were saved but the Sharks played on their toes all night ...

I think with Bratt it's a combination of being a 19 year old rookie who has never played this many games in a year before and with Hynes playing him with 3rd and 4th liners now and taking him off the powerplay for guys like Stafford.

Well maybe we’ll win the draft lottery again..
- K-dizzle

Our chance of a top 3 pick up to 7.9%

Schneider is suffering from something... have no idea what. His market value is down, so don't expect him to move over the summer. NJ's going to have to build him back up.

Three Strike-Outs is going to have to try to man the pipes for most the games from here on out.

I don't blame him losing confidence behind this defense. Unless you're Matt Murray and have three star forwards who'll score for all the times you're scored against, you're not going to look good behind a bottom tier defense.

Remaining schedule Pitt, TBL, Car, Pitt, islanders, Canadians, rags, leafs, caps.
The last 6 games are winnable. That would give us 94 points.

Fla remaining games Columbus, Az, islanders, leafs, sens, Boston, Car, Nashville, Boston, Buffalo, boston.
Say they go 7-4 they finish with 95 points.

Flyers remaining games rags, Pitt, Dallas, avs, Boston, islanders, car, rags
I can see them going 4-4 and finish with 94

Columbus remaining games fla, blues, Oilers, flames, can, wings, pens, Nashville.
I can see them go 5-3 and finish with 97 points.

Not encouraging at all considering a lot of these teams play the better teams late in the year and will pretty much be throw away games cause they’ll be resting players.

Remaining schedule Pitt, TBL, Car, Pitt, islanders, Canadians, rags, leafs, caps.
The last 6 games are winnable. That would give us 94 points.

Fla remaining games Columbus, Az, islanders, leafs, sens, Boston, Car, Nashville, Boston, Buffalo, boston.
Say they go 7-4 they finish with 95 points.

Flyers remaining games rags, Pitt, Dallas, avs, Boston, islanders, car, rags
I can see them going 4-4 and finish with 94

Columbus remaining games fla, blues, Oilers, flames, can, wings, pens, Nashville.
I can see them go 5-3 and finish with 97 points.

Not encouraging at all considering a lot of these teams play the better teams late in the year and will pretty much be throw away games cause they’ll be resting players.
- K-dizzle

You lost me at Tampa and Pitt ...lol. sucks to see Cory struggle especially with how good he played last year behind a horrible team. Wish he was one sick save away from snapping out of this

I don't buy Cory has lost confidence in the D; if anything it's the other way around. Sure, the D needs help but it's not like most of the goals Cory is giving up is because of a cross ice pass through his crease putting him in an unstoppable position.

The goals are more like sharp angle shots, shots from a distance he should be able to track, pucks that should have been covered or had better rebound control, etc. the bottom line - it's stuff that is his responsibility and generally in his control.

I'll also say that I've been shouting about this all year that this team has a goaltending problem - and it puts Shero in a real bind.

Kinkaid isn't the long term answer, and after two seasons of this with Cory, it's hard to not have some other contingency plan in place. It's something Shero is going to have to address in some form or another because the Cory and Kinkaid tandem just doesn't seem to get it done.

I'll also say that I've been shouting about this all year that this team has a goaltending problem - and it puts Shero in a real bind.

Kinkaid isn't the long term answer, and after two seasons of this with Cory, it's hard to not have some other contingency plan in place. It's something Shero is going to have to address in some form or another because the Cory and Kinkaid tandem just doesn't seem to get it done.
- devils_mike

I realize Schneider's struggles, and while he hasn't been his best he was stellar early on in the season and bailed out the defense on several occasions. And that is where the biggest issue is, the D. Even on games we won (or stole) like TB they give up 50 SOG. On a nightly basis the D surrenders far too many chances and when you look at the roster they simple don't have the makeup of a strong core. Vatanen is probably a #2, Severson (some nights) can look like a 2, but everyone else is a 4-6 type of guy. It's such mediocrity back there in terms of skill and there is absolutely no size. IMO, THAT is where the problem lies. And in terms of prospects there's not much on the way, so hopefully they address it via trade or UFA (they tried Shattenkirk and I imagine will bid for Carlson).

I'll also say that I've been shouting about this all year that this team has a goaltending problem - and it puts Shero in a real bind.

Kinkaid isn't the long term answer, and after two seasons of this with Cory, it's hard to not have some other contingency plan in place. It's something Shero is going to have to address in some form or another because the Cory and Kinkaid tandem just doesn't seem to get it done.
- devils_mike

Cory wasn't this brutal last year. He actually had some decent hockey in him. But when he crapped the bed it was bad, or he would let in that one softie that opened the floodgates. However, I didn't watch much passed any first period towards the end of the season so I could be mistaken.

Good read Todd. Absolutely Schneids was a major let down. He let in 2 wristers from beyond the house that he had a clean look at. Just not good enough, but neither was our D. Also, what has happened to Bratt's major decline???? Hopefully a little rest, and some strong performances at home get the devs back on track.
- bikeguy99

Cory needs to start verse a weak team to build up his confidence. His last 3 starts were verse SJ, Jets, and Vegas. IMO he should of started in the back-to-back.

As for Bratt, he is young and getting thrown all over the place so he can't get comfortable plus sitting in the stands more recently. I feel he was playing very good when paired with Hall/Nico just not putting up the points. When you go from Hall/Nico to Boyle/Stafford, your going to be like WTF.

Cory wasn't this brutal last year. He actually had some decent hockey in him. But when he crapped the bed it was bad, or he would let in that one softie that opened the floodgates. However, I didn't watch much passed any first period towards the end of the season so I could be mistaken.
- bigjersey3

Yeah, taht's not my recollection. Last year was pretty ugly too from him, maybe he just looked better because the whole team was bad as well, but to my recollection this year is really a continuation of last year in terms of the lack of focus and ability to make needed saves.

I think besides Cory coaching stuff should take the blame for most of it. Number 1 the PP. WTF they doing putting players on the PP from the ice age. Second one is Defense. Yes we don't have a number 1 Deffenders up there but still I think a defensive coach the good one can do much more then what we see. Now the HC, there way he changes players and choosing them for different plays is BS. Keeping players like BenLov, Staff, even Boyle already says a lot. Plus putting them on PP or on last minutes of a game is stupid.
We need a new assistants and maybe just maybe a new HC.

Yeah, taht's not my recollection. Last year was pretty ugly too from him, maybe he just looked better because the whole team was bad as well, but to my recollection this year is really a continuation of last year in terms of the lack of focus and ability to make needed saves.
- devils_mike

What's even more frustrating is that Columbus, Philly and Florida all look desperate and to have a fire lit under their asses. Aside from Hall it looks like no one gives a crap. They just seem lazy and tired at times, which sucks to watch.

I think with Bratt it's a combination of being a 19 year old rookie who has never played this many games in a year before and with Hynes playing him with 3rd and 4th liners now and taking him off the powerplay for guys like Stafford.
- Devilspep87

Ya that is certainly true about the amount of games. Always seems to be a large hurdle for any NCAA players making the jump to the NHL. It was apparent that our speed was lacking greatly from the back end. Lovejoy and Green were having many difficulties, resulting in careless turnovers. Maroon looked like a slug against Hansen on his first of the season as well. Oh well, when we get John Carlson this offseason, much of our issues will be resolved.

I liked the moves Shero made this year, but not enough to improve the defense.

I liked the moves Shero made this year, but not enough to improve the defense.
- Mcdunna

The Mueller deal was really bad. Shero tried, but he swung and missed there.

The Mueller deal was really bad. Shero tried, but he swung and missed there.
- jersey1414

John Carlson

The Mueller deal was really bad. Shero tried, but he swung and missed there.
- jersey1414

but when he's played he's been good and he's only 23.

This will all be an afterthought when the season ends. We will be the 8 seed with the Flygirls home golfing. Keep the faith my fellow Devils fans. We will be in playoffs!

but when he's played he's been good and he's only 23.
- Pomegrant

Saying he's played well is flat out false. He's been awful and he's basically had a chance to play with every d-man except Vatanen. I understand his age though, but he has no options so it's either NHL or cut him. It's a really bad situation right now.

Saying he's played well is flat out false. He's been awful and he's basically had a chance to play with every d-man except Vatanen. I understand his age though, but he has no options so it's either NHL or cut him. It's a really bad situation right now.
- jersey1414

saying he's played awfully is flat out false. look how interesting this is.