Pitch Perfect: Akira Schmid Second Shutout Sends Devils To Round 2

The New Jersey Devils are advancing to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs after knocking off their Hudson River Rivals the New York Rangers in Game 7. While some thought the Devils would make a goalie, there was Akira Schmid back between the pipes his calm, cool, and collective self. Many wondered how the kid was going to respond after getting pulled in Game 6 against the Rangers.

Schmid’s Brilliance on Display

Well, Schmid along with the rest of his teammates bounced back in fine form. Schmid posted his second shutout of the series as the Devils defeated the Rangers by a score of 4-0. He stopped all 31 shots he faced in Game 7. Schmid had to be sharp early. Even though the Devils dictated play, the Rangers were on the man advantage early.

There was a lot of talk about how the Rangers had not tested Schmid enough after Games 3, 4, and 5. Well, that’s what it was all talk. Schmid was in great form in Game 7. His rebound control was on point. Especially on the Rangers first power play, Schmid made a fancy glove save on Mika Zibanejad”s one-timer.

That was not the only time his glove was on point. With the game still scoreless, Alexis Lafreniere on a 2-on-1 tried to be Schmid on the glove side. Schmid once again shut the door. The Rangers had thought they had figured him out after Game 6. New York scored three of their five goals on his glove side. However, in Game 7 that was not the case.

In addition, Schmid stopped Vincent Trocheck as he drove to the net. With the puck in front, he also stopped Patrick Kane trying to put the rebound home. Later on in the game, Schmid’s glove was there again. This he stopped Trocheck’s one-timer with the Devils up 2-0.

Well Vitek Vanecek did not play bad, the Devils needed a change entering Game 3. Enter Akira Schmid. Schmid was rock solid outside of Game 6. But the whole Devils team in front of him was not good. After becoming the starter in Game 3, Schmid finished the series with a record of 4-1 with a 1.38 goals-against-average and .951 save percentage. In addition, he finished the series on home ice with back-to-back shutouts only giving up two goals in the four wins.

“The biggest thing was ‘Schmido.’ He obviously came in and played unreal,” Jack Hughes said post-game. “He was a brick wall for us.”

Schmid’s performance in Game 7 was exactly what this Devils team needed. His confidence in his ability allowed the team in front of him to play with more confidence.

“He played a heck of a game,” Lindy Ruff said post-game. “I mean, he had a heck of a series. You envision things, but you don’t really envision what he did. This was a tough series. It was two good teams going at it, and goaltending on both sides turned out to be a big factor.”

While Schmid will get all the accolades, he credits the defence in front of him for playing well and allowing him to see all the rubber that has been thrown his way.

“The boys have been playing phenomenal in front of me,” Schmid said post-game. “Not a lot of work for me. I can’t give the boys enough credit.”

Devils Relentless Puck Battles

Once the Devils got the lead this time they were not going to relinquish it. Unlike in Game 6. It was a repeat performance of Game 5 as ESPN NHL Analyst Ray Ferraro stated. The Devils were smothering the Rangers in every area of the ice. The puck support from the offence allowed them to transition quickly. They were relentless on the puck.

That relentlessness was on display in the first goal. With the Devils on the penalty kill, Ondrej Palat hounded Rangers defenceman Adam Fox. Palat stripped Fox of the puck. He then sent it to Michael McLeod, who looked like a goal scorer with his patience as he opened the scoring for the Devils.

Later on in the period, it was John Marino who used his speed to cut into the Rangers zone. Marino made a nifty move but could not finish the play as Igor Shesterkin made the save. However, Marino’s puck pursuit did not stop. He picked up the puck and sent it to Tomas Tatar, who made it 2-0 Devils.

Like the first two Devils goals, the next two Devils goals were about hard work. Palat wins a puck battle along the boards to spring Hughes and Erik Haula on an odd-man rush. Haula picked his fourth of the series to make it 3-0 on a beautiful pass from Hughes.

Then Jesper Bratt sealed the deal with the empty net goal. Devils fans hope that gets him going. But it was winning another board battle to spring the puck of the zone and down the ice for the goals.

The Devis are off to the second round where they will meet the Carolina Hurricanes Wednesday night.

Notes:

• Akira Schmid first goalie to record a shutout in Game 7 on home ice since Martin Brodeur in Game 7 of the 2003 Stanley Cup Final.
• Lindy Ruff won his first Game 7 as a head coach. Was previously 0-4
• Devils win first Game 7 against the Rangers
• Of Note, the Devils and Rangers have played three Game 7 in the playoffs, the home team winning them all.