Rookie Goalie Gives Devils Life As They Squeak Past Rangers In Must-Have OT Win

Sometimes you just gotta tip your cap. With their backs against the wall after consecutive 5-1 thrashings, the Devils really had no choice but to make a change between the pipes. Vitek Vanecek wasn't the sole reason for their 0-2 series deficit but he certainly wasn't helping. So Lindy Ruff tapped 22 year-old rookie netminder Akira Schmid on the pads, gave him the crease in enemy territory and the kid was awesome. He was tested twice early by Zibanejad rockets from the slot & stood his ground, looking cool calm & collected the rest of the way. The only shot that beat him all night, a rocket off the rush by Chris Kreider, would've beat pretty much anyone.

Chris Kreider with his 5th goal of the playoffs open the scoring. 1-0, NYR pic.twitter.com/wcDL7UVD6Z

— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) April 23, 2023

 

His strong play nullified all 5 Rangers powerplay attempts and allowed his squad to hang around & hang around until the game-winning opportunity presented itself. Dougie Hamilton didn't miss.

Dougie Hamilton with the overtime game-winner. The Devils earn their first win of the series pic.twitter.com/LvvxEHkHqS

— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) April 23, 2023

 

Honestly though, it was a very well played game by the Blueshirts despite the loss. They dictated pace the majority of the night, not allowing the desperate Devils any room to play their speed & transition game. Obviously it'd have been ideal for Zibanejad to hammer one of those PP shots home or Panarin to hit the net on the handful of prime chances he had - but if you thought they were gonna light it up for 5 a night you're not that bright. All the pressure was on New Jersey and they still couldn't force the issue at any point last night. They continued to look skittish with the puck, were the less disciplined team & what should have been their best effort ended up in a coin flip game that just so happened to go their way. I'm not saying they didn't deserve the win - I'm simply saying that it's incredibly hard to sweep anyone. If this is the best the Devils are gonna bring this series, there's nothing to be concerned about in Rangerstown.

Keep mucking it up in the neutral zone. Keep outworking the soft Devils in puck battles. Keep drawing those powerplay chances. If this same type of game is played the rest of the way, it's not "if" the Rangers advance. It's "when".

VIVA LA BLUESHIRTS