Two weeks ago, the New Jersey Devils turned some heads by saying Martin Brodeur would start their season opener in Pittsburgh.
Today, that decision changed.
Cory Schneider will be in goal for New Jersey when it takes on the Pens at Consol Energy Center on Thursday, according to Tom Gulitti of NorthJersey.com.
Brodeur will instead start the Devils’ home-opener on Friday against the Islanders.
The reasoning behind the decision is to give Brodeur an extra day of preparation before making his regular season debut.
The 41-year-old has been away from the team since his father passed away on Sept. 26, and Schneider has played in each of New Jersey’s final two games of the exhibition season.
Yesterday, Brodeur said he was mentally ready to go for the season opener but wasn’t sure he’d be ready physically.
“It was a tough three or four days I spent up in Canada there. But, I think hockey always helps to forget things,” he told the Bergen Record. “You just do your thing. When that puck comes in 100 miles an hour, you’ve got to start thinking about the puck. But, physically, we’ll see.
"[Monday’s] practice was kind of a little hard on me, not doing anything for four days and having the full squad.”