Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Vancouver backup Schneider gets nod Saturday

Roberto Luongo, Cory Schneider

Vancouver Canucks’ Roberto Luongo, right, leaves the ice and is replaced by backup Cory Schneider after giving up four goals to the Chicago Blackhawks during second period NHL hockey game action in Vancouver, on Saturday Nov. 20, 2010.(AP Photo/The Canadian Press,Darryl Dyck)

AP

In the wake of another underwhelming performance by Roberto Luongo, Canucks backup Cory Schneider will start Saturday at home to Columbus.

Vancouver’s lost four of five, its only win coming last Thursday when Schneider started against Winnipeg.

Luongo, on the other hand, allowed 16 goals in the four losses -- all of which he started -- while registering a lowly save percentage of .846.

Wednesday he surrendered five goals in a 5-4 home loss to the Coyotes.

All of which begs the question, what if Schneider plays well against the Jackets and the Canucks get the win?

“If I went in [Saturday] and played one game, then came out again, I wouldn’t be surprised,” Schneider said. “But if I went in and played a good game and got to play the next two or three, I wouldn’t be surprised, either. I think I’ve learned this year to be ready.”

He added: “Nothing against Lou – I think he’ll be fine and will be the goalie we’ve seen for 90 per cent of the season. But if it happens that we need to string a few together and I’m the guy, I’ll be ready.”

The Canucks needed Schneider to string a few together in October and November when Luongo was hurt – and when the backup kept winning, coach Alain Vigneault rode the No. 2 even after the No. 1 was healthy enough to play again.

But it’s not early in the season anymore – the playoffs are less than a month away. So you can see how this could get awkward.

The fact is, Schneider’s numbers (.932 SV%, 2.09 GAA) are considerably better than Luongo’s (.916 SV%, 2.48 GAA). And though Schneider, 25, doesn’t have near as much playoff experience, you could easily argue he gives the Canucks the best chance to win.