Schmid makes 31 saves for 2nd shutout in 3 games for New Jersey. Devils advance to second-round for first time since 2012.
Schmid makes 31 saves for 2nd shutout in 3 games for New Jersey. Devils advance to second-round for first time since 2012.
NEWARK, N.J. -- The New Jersey Devils shut out the New York Rangers in Game 7 by a final score of 4-0 to advance to the second round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Michael McLeod scored the game-winning goal 9:53 seconds into the second period, while Tomas Tatar, Erik Haula, and Jesper Bratt all added to the scoresheet. Goaltender Akira Schmid earned his second shutout of the playoffs and made 31 saves against the Rangers.
Another Unlikely Hero for New Jersey
McLeod's goal would not have happened if it was not for the determination and patience of Ondrej Palat. The veteran forced Rangers' defenseman Adam Fox to lose possession of the puck along the boards and beat both Fox and Chris Kreider as he dug the puck out and headed to the net. McLeod showed his own patience once he received the puck from his teammate, and his forehand backhand goal would be the first playoff goal of his career.
"(Palat) is awesome. McLeod said postgame with a smile. He's obviously a warrior. He battles and shows up at big times like that."
After the game, Jack Hughes met with the media and talked about the favorites in the locker room being the difference makers and how much it pumped up the rest of the team.
"For Mikey (McLeod) to go out there and light it up and score for us and get that lead, that's huge," said Hughes with a smile.
Devils Looked Composed Throughout the Game
The Devils took four penalties in Game 7, including three in the first period. Thankfully the New Jersey penalty kill unit got the job done as Schmid stood tall in his crease.
Penalties became an unfortunate theme for head coach Lindy Ruff's team as they took 40 in the seven-game series, the most among all teams this postseason.
While the penalties continued to occur, the team's overall composure was something to notice. The Devils did not involve themselves in any hitting or shoving after the whistle and did not retaliate when Miller roughed Nico Hischier or after Jacob Trouba's hit on Timo Meier. The players kept their emotions in check throughout the 60-minute game, and was a small detail that helped lead them to their shutout victory.
Akira! Akira!
What more can be said about the 22-year-old rookie goaltender?
Schmid earned his second-career postseason shutout of the series. He joined Martin Brodeur as the second goaltender in franchise history to earn a shutout in a Game 7.
"He played a heck of a game. I mean, he had a heck of a series," New Jersey coach Lindy Ruff said of Schmid. "I mean, you envision things, but you don't really envision what he did. This was a tough series. It was like I said this morning, it was two good teams going at it, and goaltending on both sides turned out to be a big factor."
He is entering the second round of the playoffs as one of the hottest goaltenders in the league, with a save percentage of .951 and goals against average of 1.38.
Quick Hits
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The Devils will travel to Raleigh, North Carolina, on Tuesday, May 2, and prepare for the opening game of the second round, which is scheduled for Wednesday, May 3 at PNC Arena.