3 Observations From Devils’ Game 3 Victory Over Rangers

NEW YORK -- The New Jersey Devils celebrated a Game 3 victory over the New York Rangers after Dougie Hamilton scored the game-winner in overtime at Madison Square Garden. Chris Kreider scored the lone goal for the Rangers, and Jack Hughes got the Devils on the board thanks to his power-play goal. Akira Schmid made his playoff debut and helped his team win their first game of the postseason. Here are three takeaways from Saturday night's game. 

The development of 22-year-old Schmid has been impressive this season. His first career NHL win was secured in his season debut in relief in a 4-3 win over the Ottawa Senators on Nov. 10. Throughout the season, he has displayed a quiet and calm demeanor, and it was those attributes that led to him taking center stage inside the world's most famous arena on April 22. 

After the team's dinner on Friday night, Schmid was told he would be the starter for Game 3. After the game, he admitted that he was very nervous but doesn't want to show it or give off that vibe. 

"He's been great all year. He's so steady and so calm," said Hamilton after the game. "He showed it again (Saturday) coming to MSG in his first playoff game, and to play like that is pretty impressive."

Schmid made 35 saves on 36 shots, earning a save percentage of .972. Per NHL PR, Schmid (22 years, 345 days) became the third netminder in franchise history who played a postseason game and was under the age of 22, joining Martin Brodeur (last: 22 years, 21 days) and Sean Burke (last: 21 years, 106 days). 

Special teams were the biggest storyline of the series thus far. The Devils found themselves on the penalty kill 10 times through the first two games, with the Rangers collecting four goals on the man advantage. 

"We had a long meeting about the penalty kill the other day, and we needed more communication," John Marino said. "It's crazy to say, but they scored so many goals, we got to see so many looks (in Games 1 and 2), and I think that actually helped us tonight."

New Jersey continued to find themselves down a player, as Michael McLeod, Ryan Graves, Kevin Bahl, Jesper Bratt, and Timo Meier all found themselves in the penalty box throughout the night. The team's penalty killers, led by Marino, Jonas Siegenthaler, Erik Haula, and Nathan Bastian, were a perfect five for five and one of the biggest factors in their team's victory. 

The usual suspects led the way in Game 3, with Jesper Bratt and Hamilton earning two points while Hughes and Nico Hischier collected one apiece. The first power play unit converted when Hughes scored halfway through the middle frame. Veteran Ondrej Palat served as the screen in front of Igor Shesterkin. 

Hughes has two goals in three games this postseason, which leads the team. The 21-year-old looked comfortable in his first few playoff appearances, with a combined 15  shots and two hits through three games. 

Like most of the team, Hamilton had some struggles in the first couple of games. He became the hero 11:36 into overtime after he received the puck from Bratt and got his snap shot past Shesterkin. 

"It started out with a good flip out, and I tried to get up in the rush, and obviously, it was a great play by [Bratt] to find me," Hamilton said. "I kind of thought he was going to give it to me a little earlier and then turned and ended up in a better spot."