The New Jersey Devils completed their comeback from a 2-0 series deficit Monday night with a 4-0 win against the rival New York Rangers, and once again, a rookie goalie was the answer.
Akira Schmid, who entered the series after the Rangers won the first two games, made 31 saves to win Game 7. He had been pulled in a Game 6 loss at New York. He became the NHL’s first rookie goalie to record a Game 7 shutout since Montreal’s Carey Price in 2008.
The Devils, who ended a four-year playoff drought, are heading to a matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday, the first time in 11 years they have reached the second round. The Rangers are heading home and face questions after being aggressive before the trade deadline by adding Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko.
The Devils ended up with home-ice advantage as the Rangers played short-handed at times before the trade deadline to gain the cap space needed to acquire Kane, and New Jersey took advantage in Game 7.
Schmid’s win continued a strong performance for the 22-year-old goaltender. He started ahead of Vitek Vanecek in Game 3 and outside a 5-2 loss in Game 6, he allowed two goals in his four wins.
The Devils got their offense in the second period. Michael MacLeod scored a short-handed goal after great forechecking by Ondrej Palat, and Tomas Tatar also scored. It was the first goal of the 2023 playoffs for both players.
Erik Haula and Jesper Bratt (empty net) scored in the third period.
With the Rangers’ loss, the Edmonton Oilers are the only team from last year’s conference finals still alive in the playoffs. The Colorado Avalanche, Tampa Bay Lightning and record-setting Boston Bruins failed to advance.
The Rangers, who had trouble dealing with the Devils’ speed, face offseason questions. Most likely is the status of coach Gerard Gallant. They also have to make decisions on trade deadline acquisitions Tarasenko, Kane, Tyler Motte and Niko Mikkola, who are pending unrestricted free agents. K’Andre Miller and Alex Lafreniere are restricted free agents.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Devils top Rangers in Game 7, head to second round of NHL playoffs
