Perhaps one of the most overlooked pieces to the Vancouver Canucks' rise to the top of the NHL standings has been the outstanding play of Cory Schneider. The young backup goaltender has been so good, teammate Kevin Bieksa said he warranted some consideration for team MVP.
"I think he's got me confused for a couple of other redheads on our team," laughed Schneider, in an interview with Gino Reda for That's Hockey. "I'm just trying to fill the role that's been asked of me. I think they've been a big part of it, the guys in front of me: my defence core, the forwards and our team game (contributes) to a lot of our success. I've won a lot of games I've been in, but I owe a lot of credit to my teammates."
It's no secret that Roberto Luongo is the goalie of the present for the Canucks. When healthy, he has been a workhorse averaging over 70 starts per season. Save for an injury-plagued 2009 year, Luongo's lowest number of starts for a season with the Canucks is 68. This year, with just six games left in the regular season, Luongo has appeared in 56 games - while setting personal bests with the Canucks in save percentage (.927) and goals against average (2.18), and leading the league in wins with 35.
His workload was lightened with the emergence of Schneider, who's kept the Canucks' goaltending situation at an elite level all season long, regardless of who is in net. After picking up the win in Columbus Sunday, he's now 15-3-2 in 22 starts this year, with a .930 save percentage and 2.16 goals against average.
He said working closely with Luongo has helped him raise his game to the next level.
"I think just watching him, seeing his habits, and how he carries himself. Seeing him from past years, he seems a little more laid back, a little more relaxed and at ease with his game and what he wants to accomplish," he said. "For me to see that and feed off it, it kind of relaxes me and gives me confidence."
For now, Schneider said he understands and accepts his role as a backup, as the Canucks have put together a year in which they are among the favourites to win the Stanley Cup - which would be the first by a Canadian team since 1993.
"Lou's the guy. He's clearly our number one. He's going to play any game, barring an injury – knock on wood. Maybe if he has a tough start or if the team's not playing well and we get down by a lot, maybe I'll come in and spell him," he said. "As a backup, I expect that he'll carry the mail the entire way unless some sort of circumstance pops up and I have to come in."
But soon enough, Schneider's talents and ability could garner him his own role as a starter in the NHL. After next season, the 25-year-old will become an unrestricted free agent, and would presumably want the opportunity to be a No. 1 guy.
"I like to think so, that's kind of the progression. I've spent three years in college, three in the (AHL). It's been a good start here, but you never know unless you get the opportunity. Whenever that opportunity does come I hope I can take advantage of it and prove that I'm able to play more than just 20 or 25 games, I can get 50, 60, 70 games in," he said. "I think anybody, when you sign somewhere, when the team wants you, you hope the feeling is mutual, that they want you to play games, and that you're going to be able to play games.
"I like it in Vancouver a lot. I love the city. I love the organization, my teammates. It's a great place to play. You never say never, but at the same time, it's part of the game – players grow up and move on and try to seek other opportunities. I'm under contract for another year, so I'll expect to play here next year unless something happens."
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