The New Jersey Devils are expecting goalie Cory Schneider to return soon from an injury. Schneider will be out for the next two games for the Devils, but potentially could return next week for the team. Mike Cammalleri is not expected to return to the team this season.
Schneider has missed the last seven games for the Devils and the team is hoping that the goaltender can return to the lineup before the season ends. Schneider is dealing with a knee injury and is expected to miss the next two games. The goalie was able to practice with the team on Tuesday, but he is still dealing with a Grade 1 MCL sprain in his knee.
Coach John Hynes said that Schneider will be out for Thursday's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins and on Friday against the Washington Capitals. Hynes said that Schneider may be able to play against the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday, but that right now he is "not planning" to play the goalie in that game. The coach said that things could change between now and Sunday depending on how Schneider continues his recovery.
"Either [today] or Monday, we'll have a game plan," Hynes said. "He has progressed to some skating and he's on a natural progression from what his injury was to where he should be in the time frame coming back. There's been no complications. His body has responded well. It wasn't a significant, significant injury, but he's on the right path to, hopefully, come back and play with no question about whether it's the right thing for him or our team."
Keith Kinkaid has been playing in place of Schneider and likely will start the games that the goalie will miss on the upcoming schedule. Kinkaid started his sixth straight game for the team on Saturday and likely will play on Tuesday. Schneider has played at a high level all season and was the main reason why the Devils stayed on the fringes of the playoff race. Schneider is 26-23-6 this season with a 2.17 goals against average and a .923 save percentage.
Mike Cammalleri has been out with a hand injury for the Devils and will not be returning for the team. Hynes said that Cammalleri will be out for the season. Cammalleri has not played since January after suffering an injury, but he will not need surgery. The forward has 38 points in 42 games this season, including 14 goals and 24 assists. Hynes also said that he hopes Patrik Elias will be able to return after having knee surgery in January.
