Netminders are a notoriously tough, but fickle breed.
A game played on a frozen surface with hard, jutting angles and centered on a small, dense, rounded object, where odd caroms, deflections and lightning quick changes of possessions are such the norm that it necessitates those manning the net to maintain a razor sharp mental focus at all times - a focus that will cause even the very best to tire quickly, if not given the opportunity to rest via the perfunctory main tenance day.
This exact issue may be what is currently ailing the New Jersey Devils and goaltender Cory Schneider - at least according to Schneider.
After his 15th consecutive start and his sixth loss of the year, Schneider called himself out for his poor play, according to the team's Twitter account.
"I thought my teammates played well enough to get points tonight. Unfortunately, I didn't," said Schneider.
"I can absolutely be better. It's time to stop talking and just go do it," he added.
The Devils lost Monday night to the Boston Bruins, 4-2, despite heaps of time spent in the offensive zone, especially in the game's final 20 minutes, according to NBCSports' ProHockeyTalk.
The 28-year-old Schneider allowed four goals on 23 shots as part of the losing effort.
Schneider has had a rough go of it thus far this season. He was pulled in each of his previous two starts, and his GAA is currently 3.00. His save percentage is down to .901.
While he most certainly is partially to blame for the team's recent string of losses, it's not entirely his fault - he is second among all NHL goalies in shots faced and time on ice.
New Jersey has now lost four straight, and allowed 12 goals in the last three games.
There has been no word yet from Devils coach Peter DeBoer on who will start in goal tonight as the Devils suit up to face the depleted, but immensely talented, Minnesota Wild.
