Schneider focused on World Cup

New Jersey Devils goalie Cory Schneider is rested and ready to go, with his sights set on the World Cup.

After undergoing offseason core muscle surgery, Schneider is looking forward to starring in goal for Team USA at the upcoming World Cup.

"Surgery pushed me back a little," Schneider told NHL.com. "But honestly I think having the World Cup sooner was a good thing because once I was cleared and felt good to go, I started pushing pretty hard.

"It's been a good, focused summer in terms of not only rehabbing, but keeping in mind that you have to be in game shape a little sooner than normal because you don't have as long a training camp to ease into it."

Schneider admits that part of the challenge will be the quick adjustment to the World Cup's short schedule.

"When you play in the Olympics, guys are in midseason form and they have it already, but for this tournament we all have to find a way to come in with an intensity and focus you normally don't have at the beginning of September."

While Schneider is excited to play for his country, he noted that his priority is being healthy for Devils training camp.

"It's a fine line talking with my strength coach and trying to figure out the pace and I am still in a strength mode because of the surgery, but it's not just the tournament. It's 82 games and hopefully more after that I need to prepare for."

Team USA's first game is set for Sept. 17 vs. Team Europe.