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Schneider shuts out Bruins to help Devils get much-needed win

Tampa Bay Lightning v New Jersey Devils

NEWARK, NJ - FEBRUARY 26: Cory Schneider #35 of the New Jersey Devils skates against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Prudential Center on February 26, 2016 in Newark, New Jersey. The Lightning shutout the Devils 4-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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The New Jersey Devils entered Monday’s game against the Boston Bruins trending in the wrong direction in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

They had won just five of their previous 22 games, had fallen to 13th place in the conference, and their player -- goaltender Cory Schneider -- seemed to be getting frustrated.

So with that in mind, their 3-0 win over the Bruins was a pretty good way for them to start the new calendar year.

Schneider was able to stop all 22 shots he faced on Monday to record his second shutout of the season, while P.A. Parenteau, Sergay Kalinin and Taylor Hall were able to provide the offense.

It has to be a positive sign for the Devils to see Schneider get the shutout because he has struggled through a disappointing first half that has seen him post some of the worst numbers of his career. He entered play on Monday with a .904 save percentage after consistently being near the top of the league over the past three years.

If the Devils are going to find a way to climb back into the Eastern Conference playoff race they are going to need Schneider to play the way he has in recent years. He has too much of a track record and too much talent to keep playing at the level we saw this season and it was only a matter of time before he started to get back to his game. Perhaps this is where that turnaround begins for him.

Speaking of the playoff race, this was a big missed opportunity for the Bruins because they were unable to increase their lead over Tampa Bay and Toronto in the Atlantic Division. With Monday’s loss the Bruins remain just two points ahead of the Lightning and three points ahead of the Maple Leafs. Tampa Bay has two games in hand on them, while Toronto has four.