Andrew Gross | NorthJersey

Andrew Gross/NorthJersey.com

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Part of goalie Keith Kinkaid’s responsibilities on Saturday night will be to make sure the cannon doesn’t scare the moms witless.

The Devils face the Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena (Faceoff: 7 p.m.; Television: MSG Plus; Radio: digital WFAN.com, One Jersey Network) and the road game will serve as the first-ever mothers’ trip in the team’s history. And one feature of the Blue Jackets’ home arena is the very loud cannon that fires after they score.

“Got to keep them off the board so they don’t go deaf,” said Kinkaid, who will match a career-high with his sixth straight start as No. 1 goalie Cory Schneider (groin) will be sidelined for the seventh game in a row.

Julio Cortez, AP

“We haven’t warned them yet,” added coach John Hynes, who is hoping to celebrate his 43rd birthday on Saturday with the Devils snapping a two-game losing streak. “We’ll probably warn them in the morning, they’ll be in one of our team meetings just to see what goes on with that. Hopefully the cannon doesn’t go off. That would be the best defense for that.”

And Kinkaid (10-6-2, 3.12 goals-against average, .893 save percentage), who has already set a career high for victories this season, will be the last line of defense again. He made 22 saves in Thursday night’s 3-2 loss to the visiting Flames and was pulled after allowing four goals on 20 shots in Tuesday night’s 5-3 loss at Ottawa. But, prior to that, he had allowed a total of five goals as the Devils (27-18-8) won their first three games out of the All-Star break.

“It’s not all on him,” Hynes said after the Devils practiced in Newark on Friday. “He can play a little bit better. Our team can play a little bit better. We can all be a little bit better. We have to be.”

Kinkaid also had a stretch of six straight starts from March 6-19, 2016 with Schneider injured.

Obviously, the 28-year-old Kinkaid, a Long Island native, aspires to be a No. 1 goalie in the NHL.

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“I won’t lie, it’s what I’ve always dreamed of,” Kinkaid said of starting numerous games in a row. “We got the results in the first three games. The past two, there’s been one goal each game I want back. But my confidence is growing and I’m feeling sharper than I’ve ever been.

Ed Mulholland, Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

“I was a little nervous,” Kinkaid added of starting six games in a row two seasons ago. “I’m a little more prepared now. Back two years ago, I was trying to do too much. Even now, I’m trying to simplify. I want to play my game and trust everybody on the outside.”

Kinkaid was also in net for last season’s fathers’ trip with John Kinkaid in the stands to see his son make 43 saves in a 2-1 shootout win at Washington on Dec. 29, 2016.

Now, Ann Marie Kinkaid gets her turn.

“The dads are 2-0,” Keith Kinkaid said. “It’s fun. I know they’re going to have fun with it. It’s extra motivation to play for all the mothers. It’s a huge divisional game. Hopefully, they don’t hear the cannon.”

That’s something Kinkaid will have a huge part in controlling.

BRIEFS: Hynes said Schneider can hopefully resume working out on Saturday after resting on Friday, advised during a doctor’s visit on Thursday. Hynes said Schneider would need one full team practice or morning skate before being able to play so the earliest he might be able to return would likely be Tuesday at Philadelphia. …Left wing Marcus Johansson (concussion) again worked out off ice on Friday but has not resumed skating. He will miss his seventh straight game.