The only question left: Will Kinkaid be able to duplicate that effort if he is given his first NHL playoff start against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round at Amalie Arena on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN, TVAS, SUN, MSG+)?
RELATED: [Complete Lightning vs. Devils series coverage]
Devils coach John Hynes did not reveal his starting goalie after practice at Prudential Center on Tuesday, saying he would discuss lineup decisions closer to the game.
Kinkaid would be honored to have an opportunity to play his first NHL playoff game.
"I've worked hard my whole career and got a good opportunity at the end of the season just to help the team and now I just want to help the team any way, whether that's in or out of the net," Kinkaid said.
When incumbent starter Cory Schneider was injured and then struggled to regain his form after a 16-game absence because of a groin/hip injury, Kinkaid went 16-3-1 with a 2.32 goals-against average and .929 save percentage from Feb. 13 to April 5.
"I think it's just guys having the confidence in me and then the guys just playing for it," Kinkaid said. "We're all after the same goals."
Kinkaid is 7-0-1 with a 2.25 GAA and .931 save percentage in his past eight starts. He said working with goalie coach Roland Melanson has been helpful this season. Melanson was hired by the Devils on July 8 after he was goalie coach for the Vancouver Canucks for seven seasons.
"It's about the little things and work ethic with [Melanson], so we put in the work before or after practices and you watch little things on video with how to stay compact and tight," Kinkaid said. "The video sessions with Rollie are short and sweet ... this is what you're doing good or this is what you need to fix. I remember allowing a tipped goal that went through my arms against the Islanders (a 4-3 win March 31), so we discussed finding the puck early through the screen, closing all the holes."
Kinkaid (26-10-3) is the first Devils backup goalie to win at least 20 games since Scott Clemmensen went 25-13-1 in 2008-09.
"He's been making the saves he should make and finding ways to make saves that maybe he shouldn't make," Hynes said. "He's been very thorough and, like our team, when he gives one up and is under siege, he bends but doesn't break and he's been extremely competitive.
"When we haven't had our game, he's been good enough and consistent enough for us to be able to get ourselves up and running. That's the maturity you need from a guy you're putting in every night, and that's what really gives your team a belief and comfort it can play in front of the guy."
