There's been a lot of talk this week about Martin Brodeur, and rightfully so. The man was a hockey legend in New Jersey, and his retirement provided a moment for fans everywhere to reflect on one of the greatest careers in NHL history.
2015 NHL scores: Schneider foiled by Penguins comeback, Blackhawks blitz Ducks
New Jersey keeps failing their goalie.
Adam Hunger/Getty Images
But can we take a moment to reflect on the net he left behind in Newark?
Cory Schneider finally got his chance to be a starter this season after years waiting patiently behind Roberto Luongo in Vancouver and then Brodeur in New Jersey. And for the most part, he's played well, statistically speaking. His .922 SV% is good enough for 7th best in the league.
And yet, the poor guy can’t catch a break. Pete DeBoer overplayed him to the tune of 20 consecutive starts to start the year. His team gives him terrible goal support (2.18 per game, 28th in the NHL) while making him face more shots (1,145) than any other goalie in the NHL.
With all of that in mind, nights like Friday night become inevitable and predictable. Schneider played brilliantly, keeping a 1-0 lead alive despite some terrible defensive play in front of him. Finally, the dam broke without goal support and Pittsburgh skated away with a 2-1 overtime win.
It’s hard to imagine where Schneider’s head is at these days. He has what he’s always wanted: a starting job that he is playing admirably in. And yet his team is destined for a top three pick in the draft.
Scores
Blues 3, Hurricanes 2 (SO)
Blackhawks 4, Ducks 1
Three things we learned
1. Pittsburgh missed Evgeni Malkin. It seems like we learn the same lesson each time the star center is injured: Malkin is the straw that stirs the Penguins' drink. Yes, Sidney Crosby helps a ton, but Malkin's absence on Friday in New Jersey was painfully evident as Pittsburgh struggled to get offense to punch through Schneider with two strong lines.
2. The Sabres basically stopped playing in the second period. Buffalo is becoming legendary as one of the NHL’s all-time most anemic teams, but they took it to another level midway through their game in Vancouver.
Pronounced dead in the 2nd period. RT @CamTucker_Metro: Buffalo Sabres are the blue line. #Canucks pic.twitter.com/tHnyDt28rX
— Canucks Misconduct (@nucksmisconduct) January 31, 2015
3. Another solid night for Semyon Varlamov.
After many predicted he would crash and burn, the Colorado Avalanche netminder is quietly following up his Vezina Trophy season with a stellar sequel. On many nights he has been the difference for Colorado, and is the main reason they were able to drag themselves back in the playoff conversation after a terrible start. His 23-save shutout against Nashville on Friday was yet another strong performance in a season full of them.
I wanna be on the kiss cam @BlueJacketsNHL make it happen!
— Strombone (@strombone1) January 26, 2015 Impact Moment
Sure, Simon Despres got the game-winner in overtime. But this last-ditch effort to save a goal in the first period ultimately gave Pittsburgh a chance to mount the comeback.
Stat of the Night
Devils still haven't won three in a row since first three games of season and have only two three-game winning streaks in last two seasons.
— Tom Gulitti (@TGfireandice) January 31, 2015 That’s a great recipe for a lottery pick every year.
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