Devils' Schneider practices, expected to start Monday

The New Jersey Devils plan to start goaltender Cory Schneider against the San Jose Sharks on Monday, interim co-coach Lou Lamoriello told NorthJersey.com on Sunday.

"I had [Saturday] off, felt OK today and should be good to go," Schneider said after practice, according to NorthJersey.com. "So, it's more just I got my bell rung a bit and they wanted to be careful. So, fortunately, it wasn't any more than that."

Schneider, 28, was struck in his mask by a Matt Beleskey shot in the first period of a 5-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Friday and sat the final two periods as a precaution. Goalie Keith Kinkaid allowed four goals on 25 shots in relief.

"I just took it right off the side of the head there, right off the side of the head and ear," Schneider said. "Usually, I can pretty much shake them, but as the period went on I started feeling worse, just the pressure and some symptoms, but as a precaution they decided to hold me out [of the rest of the game Friday]."

As long as Schneider doesn't have any setbacks overnight, Lamoriello expects him to start Monday.

"You never feel good when somebody gets hits, but, as I said yesterday, he was fine," Lamoriello said. "You always take every precaution, every measure you can. You don't take a chance. He was fine today. We had a day off yesterday, which was good. You saw his practice today. He's fine. He's ready."

Schneider has started 40 of the Devils' 46 games this season. He is 15-19-4 with a 2.42 goals-against average and .919 save percentage.