Coyotes can’t solve Devils’ Schneider in 2-0 loss

Jan 16, 2016, 3:50 PM

Arizona Coyotes' Shane Doan (19) tries to re-direct the puck past New Jersey Devils goalie Cory Schneider (35) as the Devil's Adam Larsson (5), of Sweden, defends during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)

(AP Photo/Ralph Freso)

GLENDALE, Ariz. — When Saturday’s matinee at Gila River Arena turned into a goal-tending contest, the Coyotes were in trouble. New Jersey’s Cory Schneider entered the game with a 6-1-1 record, three shutouts, a 0.99 goals-against average and .964 save percentage in his career against the Coyotes.

Arizona starter Anders Lindback was 2-3 with a 2.65 goals against average and an .888 save percentage in his career against the Devils.

New Jersey’s 2-0 victory played out along those story lines.

Devils forward Reid Boucher scored on New Jersey’s third shot of the game when Lindback’s positioning was off on a 2-on-1, and forward Kyle Palmieri slipped a pass from Joseph Blandisi in the far side of the net when Lindback failed to get to the post.

At the other end, Schneider made 38 saves for his third shutout of the season, the Coyotes power play unit went 0 for 5 and Arizona was suddenly staring at a two-game losing streak.

“We couldn’t shoot straight,” Coyotes coach Dave Tippett, whose club attempted 96 shots, its most since 2012. “Give Schneider a lot of credit. He played very well but we missed a lot of nets and they blocked a lot of shots.”

Saturday’s loss marked the first time the Coyotes have been shut out since an eyesore of a 6-0 loss at Boston on Oct. 17. It also ended a torrid run for the power play, which had 14 goals in its last 39 chances coming in to the game to rise to 11th in the league rankings.

“Credit to them. They block everything,” said forward Max Domi of a Devils defense that recorded 27 blocked shots. “They play as a tight unit and they play in front of one of the best goalies out there.”

Schneider had a pair of good glove saves, including one on a Jordan Martinook rush, but for the most part, he was simply in position and made the stops look easy.

“He’s a good goalie,” Tippett said. “Big guy, square, there’s lots to like about that goalie.”

Lindback (14 saves) was making his first start since Dec. 29 against Chicago when he was pulled after one period when he allowed three goals on five shots. He didn’t get a lot of work on Saturday, but he also allowed a pair of goals that were the product of poor fundamentals, particularly the last one when he was slow getting to the post and allowed Palmieri’s shot to glance off his skate and in.

“I lost track of the puck when (Blandisi) went back and I turned my head,” Lindback said. “He made a quick play. I need to find ways to stop those.”

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