New Jersey Devils: 5 burning questions for 2018-19

3. Will Keith Kinkaid start more games than Cory Schneider?

Who’s net is it, anyway?

For the first time since joining the New Jersey Devils back in 2013, goaltender Cory Schneider didn’t start in a majority of the team’s games last season. Schneider has struggled with injuries over the past two seasons and it was more than apparent that No. 35 was not his normal No. 1 goaltender-caliber self.

Though, backup netminder Keith Kinkaid rose up from the ashes last season and when the Devils needed him most. The 29-year-old proved that he’s capable of being an everyday starting goalie, after he posted a 10-1-1 record during the last month of the 2017-18 season and led New Jersey back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2012.

Kinkaid’s performance between the pipes was extraordinary and something that Devils fans haven’t arguably witnessed in a goaltender since Martin Brodeur manned the blue paint at the Rock.

Still, “KK’s” inexperience was exposed by a high-powered offensive team in the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first round of the playoffs.

His replacement in Schneider displayed a commendable effort in goal for the Devils’ final three playoff contests. While No. 35’s offseason hip surgery may sideline him for the start of the 2018-19 campaign, expect Schneider to regain his No. 1 form and end up starting in more games than Kinkaid.

Yes, Kinkaid had an impressive showing at the 2018 World Championships during the team’s offseason, but there’s still a ways to go before the Farmingville, New York native officially claims New Jersey’s net full-time and for the long haul.