Breaking: Team fighting for a playoff spot may have lost their star player.

The New Jersey Devils may have just seen their playoff hopes evaporate this evening.

Despite the fact that they were not expected to be a post-season contender to start the year, largely a result of having one of the older rosters in the National Hockey League, the Devils have managed to ride an incredible performance from Cory Schneider all season and currently sit just 5 points out of a playoff spot.

However on Friday night those playoff hopes may have died when Schneider left the game early with an injury, and thus far it doesn't sound like it's something minor. Following the game the Devils refused to give an update on the injured Schneider, but they did state he needed to be evaluated by medical staff in New Jersey before the made an announcement, generally not a good sign.

It truly can not be understated how well Schneider has played on a relatively weak team, he already has an incredible 55 games played and has recorded a .923 save percentage over that stretch. He genuinely belongs in the conversation when talking about the very best goaltenders in the league, and losing him for any length of time would be devastating for the Devils.

[pub]

Hynes says no update on Schneider and they'll have him checked out when they get back to NJ

— Tom Gulitti (@TGfireandice) March 5, 2016