After two tough losses at home, Devils coach Lindy Ruff made a bold move by starting rookie goalie Akira Schmid for a pivotal Game 3. The decision paid off as the Devils secured a 2-1 overtime victory against the New York Rangers on Saturday night, cutting their series deficit to 2-1.
Dougie Hamilton netted the game-winner 11:36 into overtime, while Jack Hughes scored in regulation, and Jesper Bratt added two assists for New Jersey. Schmid, making his first playoff start instead of Vitek Vanecek, stopped 35 shots, keeping the Devils’ playoff hopes alive.
“We got beat pretty bad in the first two games, so it feels much better tonight,” said Hughes. “This win gives us belief again. We’re back in it, and we’re really pumped for the next game.”
Schmid, just 22 years old, became the first rookie goalie to start a playoff game for the Devils since Martin Brodeur in 1994. He came up big with 11 saves in the first period, 10 in the second, six in the third, and eight in overtime to secure the win.
“We know Schmid is always calm and composed,” Hughes said. “We have a lot of confidence in him, and he showed everyone how good he is tonight.”
Chris Kreider scored for the Rangers, while Igor Shesterkin made 26 saves. The Rangers struggled with turnovers, committing 19 after just nine in the first two games.
“They force turnovers with their pressure, and we didn’t handle it well,” said Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad. “We need to make better decisions with the puck.”
In overtime, Bratt set up Hamilton, who skated into the right circle and fired the puck past Shesterkin’s glove for the game-winner.
“It was a great breakout, and Bratt made a perfect pass,” Hamilton said. “I saw an opening and just took the shot, and fortunately, it went in.”
Game 4 is set for Monday night at Madison Square Garden, with Game 5 back in New Jersey on Thursday.
Schmid made a critical pad save on Braden Schneider early in overtime, while Shesterkin denied Timo Meier and Bratt attempts. Schmid also stopped Vladimir Tarasenko’s shot six minutes into OT.
“The guys were great at blocking shots and helping me out,” said Schmid. “That made my job easier.”
The Devils had a close chance in the third period when Bratt’s shot was stopped by Shesterkin, keeping the score level. The Rangers had their fifth power play of the game late in the third, but Artemi Panarin’s shot missed the net, and the Devils held on.
Kreider opened the scoring in the second period, firing a shot past Schmid for his fifth goal of the series and 39th career playoff goal. However, Hughes answered on a power play later in the period, tying the game with a shot that beat Shesterkin on the blocker side.
NOTABLE STATS
First for Kreider: Kreider became the first Rangers player to score five goals in the first three games of a playoff series.
Power Play Struggles: The Rangers, who were 4 for 10 on the power play in the first two games, went 0 for 5 in Game 3. New Jersey was 1 for 3, improving their earlier power play struggles.
“They made adjustments, and our execution wasn’t as sharp as it had been,” said Rangers coach Gerard Gallant. “That was the difference tonight.”
