NEWARK Justin Williams Jersey , N.J. (AP) — The New Jersey Devils have activated goaltender Cory Schneider from the injured list before the team begins a season-long seven-game road trip Tuesday night in Tampa.The 32-year-old Schneider is recovering after offseason hip surgery. He has not played in any of the Devils’ eight games this season. Keith Kinkaid has started and played in all eight games so far.Schneider, an 11-year NHL veteran, is in his sixth season with New Jersey after spending the first five years of his career as a backup with the Vancouver Canucks. Schneider was traded to New Jersey on the day of the 2013 draft for the No. 9 overall selection. In 2014-15, Schneider was a workhorse, playing in 69 of the Devils’ 82 games, posting a 2.26 goals-against average and winning 26 starts.Schneider skated with the Devils during Monday’s practice after spending the last week doing rehab work with the Devils’ AHL affiliate in Binghamton.“It’s been a long road back,” said Schneider, who played in only 40 games last season because of injury. “I did things the right way and didn’t rush it. That got me through it. I just needed to get some live action first before coming back here. It’s fun to be back with the guys.”Schneider will accompany the team to Tampa, but will serve as Kinkaid’s backup for Tuesday’s game. Devils coach John Hynes didn’t put a timetable on Schneider’s return to the net.“He’s going to play at some point,” Hynes said. “We’ll take it day by day. We have a lot of games coming up, so he’ll get in. I just don’t know when. But he will not start tomorrow (Tuesday).”Hynes was encouraged by what he saw from Schneider in Monday’s practice.“Cory looked good Custom Florida Panthers Jerseys ,” Hynes said. “It was the first time he had his own net.”Schneider knows he’s not in any rush to return.“Keith has done a great job in goal,” Schneider said. “When he needs a break, I have to be ready. It’s a big trip. It has been tough just watching the guys. But it’s fun to be able to compete again. I know I won’t be 100 percent for a while, but if I stay on top of things with my rehab, I can play. I’m more excited than anything.” WASHINGTON — Two teams heading in opposite directions collide when the Nashville Predators face the Washington Capitals in a New Year’s Eve matinee Monday.The Predators are mired in a six-game skid after blowing a third-period lead in a 4-3 loss to the Rangers on Saturday. On top of that, Nashville has struggled away from home, dropping 10 straight road contests heading into Monday’s game — the start of a stretch of seven of eight games on the road.“We find ourselves losing a bunch in a row, and at times, that’s going to happen throughout the year,” Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis told the team’s website. “We’re going to have ups and downs; the injury bug or whatever it is. But, we’re not here to make excuses. We’re going to prepare the same way and work hard. We know it will turn eventually http://www.officialhurricanes.com/authentic-adidas-rod-brind_amour-jersey , and when it does, we’ll come out a better team because of it.”Article continues below ...The Predators have not been able to light the lamp during their skid, with only 10 goals during the slide. Viktor Arvidsson has returned from injury, but Filip Forsberg remains out and Kyle Turris is day-to-day with a lower-body issue, hampering Nashville’s offensive attack.Those offensive woes counteract the fact that the Predators have allowed the second-fewest goals in the league.“We can’t lose six in a row, not in this league and not in this division, not with the parity there is,” Nashville defenseman Nick Bonino said. “We’ve just got to get better.”On the other hand, the Capitals are playing as well as any team in the NHL, and are doing it with contributions from everyone. Washington won its fourth straight Saturday, upending Ottawa 3-2 thanks to the first career goals from Madison Bowey and Tyler Lewington Scott Darling Jersey , and solid netminding from Pheonix Copley, not exactly household names.“It goes into the development process and just drafting the right type of players,” Capitals coach Todd Reirden told the team’s website, “and developing them in Hershey and then continuing to develop them here. It’s really an organizational job and a great job by our entire group.”Washington has won 16 of 19 to re-establish itself as a contender in a crowded Eastern Conference and done so while rarely using its true starting lineup. That will continue Monday as defenseman Matt Niskanen will miss a second straight game after a crash into the boards against Carolina. Fellow defenseman Brooks Orpik will be a game-time decision, after missing 27 games with a knee injury.Braden Holtby likely will get the start in net for the Capitals, though Copley certainly has held his own. The rookie goalie is 9-1-0 with a 2.37 GAA and a .921 save percentage in his last 11 starts, giving Washington confidence no matter who is between the pipes.“We’re extremely lucky to have two guys in this room who give us a chance to win,” forward Tom Wilson told reporters. “We have a pretty good team holding the fort down for us back there.”