Schmid earns shutout, Haula collects three points, and the New Jersey Devils take 3-2 series lead.
"Jersey played one [heck] of a game; their best game of the series so far."
NEWARK, N.J. -- New York Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant kept his post-game press conference brief. There was not much to say as his team dropped their third straight contest to the New Jersey Devils, giving them a 3-2 series lead. Devils' goaltender Akira Schmid made 23 saves on 23 shots and earned the first postseason shutout of his career. Forwards Ondrej Palat, Erik Haula, and Dawson Mercer all found the back of the net, with Haula collecting three-point (two goals, one assist). Here are three takeaways from Game 5.
Ondrej Palat Has Arrived
It took Palat 39 seconds to give his team a 1-0 lead. It would become the fifth-fastest goal scored from the start of a playoff game in franchise history.
Rangers forward Vincent Trocheck won a defensive-zone face-off, and the puck made its way back to goaltender Igor Shesterkin who kicked it out in front of him. Palat managed to get a shot off that was deflected off the stick of Rangers' defenseman Adam Fox, causing the puck to go in over Shesterkin's shoulder.
According to Statmuse, the Frydek-Mistek native has 10 goals and eight assists with a plus-minus of +8 in 18 games versus the Rangers in the playoffs in his career. He has more points versus the Rangers in the postseason than any other opponent.
Off the ice, Palat wasted no time talking with his stall mate and captain Nico Hischier about the tall task ahead of them.
"(Palat) is right next to me and already told me that (the fourth game) is the hardest game to win," the captain said. "I think we gotta get better again. (Tonight) was a really solid game for us, but we know right now the series is not done, and we've got to go into their building again, and they will be ready for us. We've got to step it up again."
Palat finished Game 5 with one goal, five shots on Shesterkin, three hits, and one blocked shot. The veteran has three points in five games this postseason (one goal, two assists).
Welcome to the Playoffs, Dawson Mercer
Another player who is experiencing his first postseason is 21-year-old Mercer. He was quiet through his first four games but made a positive impact on Thursday night with one goal and one assist.
"I heard him yelling there," Mercer said of Haula's power-play goal, "I knew I was in the middle, usually guys get at you pretty quick, and I turned as quick as I could to get it on net, and Haulsy had a good tip."
About 10 minutes later, Haula and Mercer found themselves on a shorthanded breakaway. The versatile veteran skated the puck up ice and set the youngster up for his first career playoff goal.
Per NHL PR, Mercer became the youngest player to score a shorthanded postseason goal in franchise history and the youngest League-wide player since Connor McDavid in 2017.
A Shutout for Schmid
What else can be said about the performance of Schmid this postseason?
Through three games, Schmid has faced 80 shots and made 78 saves. Over the past few games, the Swiss netminder emerged as one of the biggest storylines of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
He seamlessly took over the crease, but that does not mean there is animosity between him and Vitek Vanecek, who has been serving as his backup.
Dan Rice, a contributor to Pucks and Pitchforks, asked Schmid postgame what his conversations have been like with Vanecek, and Schmid had nothing but positive things to say about his partner.
"(Vanecek) has been super supportive. He makes me laugh all the time, so I stay loose and don't get too nervous in my head. I appreciate having him as a goalie partner, and the same with (Blackwood) having him around. They help me out a lot.”
Schmid became the first goaltender in franchise history who won his first three career postseason appearances.
Quick Hits
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The Devils are scheduled for an optional skate today, April 28, at RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House as they prepare to close out the series in a critical Game 6 on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.