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Schneider to make third straight start, ‘in the net now to stay’

Cory Schneider

Cory Schneider #35 of the New Jersey Devils skates to the net during the first period against the New York Rangers in a preseason game at the Prudential Center on September 16, 2013 in Newark, New Jersey. (September 15, 2013 - Source: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images North America)

Cory Schneider already usurped Roberto Luongo’s starting job in Vancouver. Now it appears he’s done the same to Martin Brodeur in New Jersey.

Schneider will make his third straight start tomorrow at home versus his old team, the Canucks -- a decision New Jersey head coach Peter DeBoer said was difficult to make, what with the other guy being the “greatest goalie of all time” and whatnot.

“It’s never easy. We’ve got two very good goalies at different points in their career. One is the greatest goalie of all time and the other guy is a legitimate starter in this league. That situation is never easy,” DeBoer said, per The Star-Ledger.

“I think both guys have handled it very professionally so far. It hasn’t been an issue. (Schneider) has had experience with that in Vancouver (alongside Luongo). I think that’s helped him. On the flip side, Marty has been outstanding in his handling of it so far. You always worry about the mental state of guys that aren’t playing. The good news is we’ve got two top-flight professionals who are better people even than they are players. That helps.”

The Devils have only won once in their first nine games, so DeBoer can’t afford to worry about anything but turning things around. Schneider’s save percentage is .917; Brodeur’s is .865. Put like that, the decision isn’t a particularly tough one.

“I think [Schneider’s] in the net now to stay,” said Brodeur. “I don’t think that’s going to change. I’ll be ready if it does.”