Schneider gets first NHL win since 2020 for Islanders against Devils

NEWARK, N.J.-- Cory Schneider made 27 saves in his first NHL start in more than two seasons, helping the New York Islanders to a 4-3 win against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on Sunday.

The 36-year-old goalie last played an NHL game as a member of the Devils on March 6, 2020, a 4-2 win against the St. Louis Blues.
"I found out [Saturday] that I was going to be playing and was just trying to do my routine, not change a whole lot that I've done to have some success. It's been exciting but a little nerve-wracking," Schneider said. "Once you settle in and you play behind those guys, the game just starts to come to you."
After New Jersey bought out the final two seasons of a seven-year contract he signed on July 9, 2014, Schneider agreed to terms on a contract with the Islanders on Dec. 31, 2020.
"There's a love for the game," Islanders coach Barry Trotz said. "I think he probably wanted a little bit of redemption because he's gone through some injuries and rehab and the stuff that people don't realize players go through that can derail your confidence, can really derail your career.
"He battled through that and everybody's really happy for him."

Jean-Gabriel Pageau had four points, including a natural hat trick, and Kyle Palmieri had a goal and two assists for the Islanders (32-27-9), who have won four in a row.
New York is 11 points behind the Washington Capitals for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference with one game in hand.
"It's funny, a little over two years ago was my last game in the League in this building, so I don't know if it's fate or coincidence, but I'm just grateful for the opportunity," Schneider said. "It's easy to take the League for granted when you're young and playing a lot, but things can change quickly so always be grateful for the chances you get.
"I thought my teammates worked really hard to make my first game back in a long time as easy as possible."
Nico Daws made 25 saves for the Devils (24-39-6), who have lost five of their past six.
"I thought we were really flat in the first period," New Jersey coach Lindy Ruff said. "Maybe we were having a pity party from the night before (a 7-6 overtime loss to the Florida Panthers on Saturday) where we felt pretty bad about the way that game ended."
Pageau gave the Islanders a 1-0 lead at 11:56 of the first period on a snap shot from the slot. He made it 2-0 at 14:00 with a power-play goal.
Pageau completed the hat trick from the slot at 14:58 of the second period for a 3-0 lead. His last three-goal game was with the Ottawa Senators in a 4-2 win against the Devils on Nov. 13, 2019.
"I got a few bounces tonight," Pageau said. "I think our line (Josh Bailey-Pageau-Palmieri) has been doing a really good job the past few games. I think you start worrying when you don't have chances, and we've had chances."

Jesper Boqvist scored for New Jersey to make it 3-1 at 15:45.
Tomas Tatar pulled the Devils within 3-2 on a snap shot from the slot at 5:32 of the third period, but Palmieri pushed the lead to 4-2 at 14:53 on a wrist shot from the right circle.
"It's huge for Cory," Palmieri said. "I've been his teammate going back a long time and he's an awesome guy. Through the good times and the bad, he comes in with a smile on his face, works hard. It's been a tough road back for him, going back to his surgery and the things he struggled with, but it's awesome to get the win for him, especially in this building."
Nico Hischier made it 4-3 with a 6-on-5 goal at 18:54 of the third.
"We were skating, won more battles [in the third], but it was not enough," Hischier said. "In the end, we still lost the game. We've got to take a lot of things out of that third period."
NOTES: New York defenseman Adam Pelech had three assists to surpass 100 NHL points (19 goals, 83 assists). ... Pageau scored the first natural hat trick by an Islanders player since Mathew Barzal (Dec. 29, 2018). ... New Jersey forward Nathan Bastian left with an undisclosed injury in the first period, and forward Jack Hughes sustained an undisclosed injury after being hit by Oliver Wahlstrom at 4:31 of the second period. Hughes returned briefly before exiting again. ... New Jersey defenseman P.K. Subban was given a game misconduct after being deemed the aggressor and instigator in a fight with Wahlstrom after the hit on Hughes. ... Devils forward Pavel Zacha played 16:58 in his return to the lineup after missing eight game with an upper-body injury.