Devils' Cory Schneider: Protecting net for two frames Saturday

Schneider will start in net Saturday night against the host Panthers, Andrew Gross of The Record reports, adding that the No. 1 backstop will give way to Keith Kinkaid for one period.

Analysis:

Schneider was with Team USA for the World Cup of Hockey last month, but he was used sparingly, having only played in a meaningless contest against the Czech Republic, and not before the Americans learned they'd been eliminated from medal contention. For what it's worth, though, he denied all seven shots in 18:26 between the pipes. With a career GAA of 2.16 through eight years in the NHL, Schneider is clearly in the upper echelon among fantasy goalies, but the Devils being the worst offensive team last year cut into his win totals. The offseason trade acquisition of sniper Taylor Hall should help in that area.