The New Jersey Devils entered Game 3 of their Eastern Conference First Round Series against the New York Rangers trailing 0-2. Nothing worked in the first two games for this young rebellious Devils team playing with a cause. But changes needed to happen, especially between the pipes. Enter Akira Schmid.
Akira Who you may ask? Akira Schmid, the Devils fifth-round draft pick from 2018 from Bern, Switzerland making his playoff debut in Madison Square Garden in Game 3. Talk about a tense situation. While Vitek Vanecek did not play poorly in the first two games, the Devils needed a calming presence between the pipes.
-
Ep 68: Auston Matthews Extension, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Much More
by Full Press Coverage on September 1, 2023 at 2:23 am
Jim and Chris are back to chat about the Auston Matthews extension, the […]
Schmid was precisely that and more for the Devils in Game 3. New Jersey is back in the series after Dougie Hamilton scored his first of the series in overtime to propel the Devils to victory.
It was also the first five-on-five goal for the Devils in the series.
He would be lying to you if he said he was not nervous, however, he did not let the moment get to him.
“Yes, very,” Schmid said post-game with a smile when asked how nervous he was. “I just try not to show it.”
Talk about a playoff debut. In Game 3 against the Rangers, Schmid stopped 35 shots, including 12 high-danger zone chances. He was never out of position on any of the shots he faced. His presence and zen-like calmness allowed his teammates to feel comfortable to go play their game. That is something Schmid has done all season for the Devils.
“He’s stone cold, no pulse, always relaxed and poised,” Jack Hughes said post-game. “We have a lot of confidence in Schmid coming in. He showed everyone how good he is, and we’d like him to keep that going.”
While the nerves might have been there, you would never know it by his positioning. His rebound control was on point as it has been all year. Schmid has been called upon numerous times this season to right the ship for the Devils.
“He’s been great all year. He’s so steady and so calm,” Dougie Hamilton went on to say said post-game, “He showed it again (Saturday) coming to MSG in his first playoff game and to play like that, is pretty impressive.”
Schmid has been this way all season for New Jersey ever since taking over as the backup when Mackenzie Blackwood went down earlier in the year. Last season, Schmid played in six games, but he was not ready for primetime. This season however Schmid saw his workload increase and his numbers as well. In 18 games, Schmid had a 2.13 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage.
NHL: 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round Preview: Eastern Conference
Stanley Cup Playoffs: 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs Results: April 22nd
NHL: Rangers Power Play is the Difference As Devils Trail 0-2
NFL: What Eddie Robinson Told Doug Williams After He Made History 35 Years Ago
Full Press Bets: Early 2022 NFL MVP Odds: Bills’ Josh Allen Favored
PODCAST: Full Press Hockey Weekly Ep 45: Canucks, Islanders, and The Boston Bruins
While the Devils coaching staff debated heavily the decision to make the switch, based on numbers and the second half of the season, the Devils had to go to Schmid. Trailing 0-2 in the series, what do you have to lose?
All indications pointed to Schmid going into the lineup after the morning skate. Then when warmups came, there was Schmid leading the team out onto the ice. Again he never let the moment get too big for him despite taking over the starters role for Vanecek.
“It’s always tough coming into a situation like this, but you just treat it like any other game, I guess,” Schmid said. “That’s kind of how I am; that’s just how I’m built. The guys did a great job helping me out, blocking shots, which makes my life easier.”
This was the exact calmness the Devils needed, who have been road warriors all season long. New Jersey played a good road game. Their penalty kill was much better going five-for-five. It was the first time in the series the Rangers did not score a power play goal. Of the 35 shots he faced, six came on the powerplay, including two in the high-danger area. He also stopped all eight shots he faced in overtime.
The only goal he gave up was in the second on a good shot by Chris Kreider. Kreider now has five in the series. But the Devils showed a good response as Jack Hughes tied the game on the first power-play goal of the series for the Devils.
However, for the first time in the series, the Devils dictated play. They also made better decisions with the puck. One thing New Jersey needs to work on is taking offensive zone penalties. Still too many, but this time it did not cost them. New Jersey has found home to be the road and they kept things simple.
This was a must-win game for the Devils or else if they went down 0-3, the series was going to be over. It will be interesting to see if Luke Hughes gets into the lineup. He can add another dynamic to the Devils breakout that is missing.
For now, the Devils and Akira Schmid can enjoy this victory as the Devils have made it a series.
Note: The 22-year-old Akira Schmid is the third rookie to start a playoff game in New Jersey history, joining Sean Burke (1988) and Hockey Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur (1994).
-
Ep 68: Auston Matthews Extension, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Much More
by Full Press Coverage on September 1, 2023 at 2:23 am
Jim and Chris are back to chat about the Auston Matthews extension, the […]
-
Ep 67: Karlsson Trade, Matt Dumba Signs, NHL News and Notes
by Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2023 at 2:21 am
Jim and Chris discuss the big Erik Karlsson trade to Pittsburgh, the Matt […]
-
Ep 66: Vladimir Tarasenko, Patrice Bergeron Retires, RFAs, and More
by Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2023 at 11:59 pm
Jim and Chris return to discuss Vladimir Tarasenko signing in Ottawa, […]
-
Around the NHL: Mike Babcock Resigns as Head Coach In Columbus
by Full Press Coverage on September 19, 2023 at 1:48 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Vox Media NHL Analyst Bruce […]
-
Around the NHL: From Columbus to Montreal To Calgary To Atlanta
by Full Press Coverage on September 16, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Vox Media NHL Analyst Bruce […]
-
California Dreamin' in Los Angeles with Daryl Evans and the Kings
by Full Press Coverage on September 14, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Kings Radio Color Commentary […]
-
Ep 86: David Krejci Announces Retirement
by Full Press Coverage on August 14, 2023 at 10:28 pm
Ian and Chris react to David Krejci's retirement. Learn more about your ad […]
-
Ep 85: Offseason Reset: Lucic, Bergeron, Krejci, and More
by Full Press Coverage on July 23, 2023 at 2:10 pm
Ian and Chris discuss the changes the Bruins have seen over the last few […]
-
S5Ep3 - Mike Babcock Out in Columbus and Steven Stamkos Drops The Hammer in Tampa
by Jim Biringer on September 22, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back for the fifth season of the Final Word on Hockey […]
-
S5Ep2 - What Carey Price Meant to the Montreal Canadiens
by Jim Biringer on September 19, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back for the fifth season of the Final Word on Hockey […]
-
Minnesota Wild Preview
by Broken Controller Media on September 22, 2023 at 4:10 pm
Hunter Logan Previews The Minnesota Wild Stack the Pucks gives a […]
-
Dallas Stars Preview
by Broken Controller Media on September 21, 2023 at 3:45 pm
Hunter Logan Previews The Dallas Stars Stack the Pucks gives a breakdown […]
-
Colorado Avalanche Preview
by Broken Controller Media on September 20, 2023 at 3:30 pm
Hunter Logan Previews The Colorado Avalanche Stack the Pucks gives a […]
-
Episode #144: 22-23 AHL Awards Show
by Full Press Coverage on July 14, 2023 at 10:00 pm
The 2022-23 AHL season has come to a close, and what better way to […]
-
Episode #143: Dessert > Desert
by Full Press Coverage on June 24, 2023 at 5:54 pm
On this episode of The Calder Farmstead, Sean and Sarah wrap up the […]
-
Full Press Wild - 9-22 - Recapping prospect camp and a player signing.
by Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Prospect camp, signing, Jujhar Khaira Learn more about your ad choices. […]
-
Full Press Canadiens 9-22 - Intra-squad scrimmages
by Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Josh Gosse and Jesse Poirier speak about the latest Montreal Canadiens […]
-
Leafs Digest - 9-22 - Nylander MOVED to Center, Murray and Muzzin OUT for Season | Toronto Maple Leafs News and Updates
by BCM on September 22, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Zack Phillips reacts to Toronto Maple Leafs Head Coach, Sheldon Keefe, […]
-
ROP Special Commentary: The Case For Karl
by Charlie Saunier on September 22, 2023 at 5:01 am
Renegades Of Puck Special Commentary: The Case For Karl Learn more about […]
-
Full Press Kraken - 9-21 - Training camp, Prospects, Preseason
by Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Previewing training camp, looking at prospects. Learn more about your ad […]
-
Full Press Blackhawks - 9-21 - Kyle Davidson’s Presser Takeaways
by Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Reacting to what Blackhawks general manager, Kyle Davidson said to media, […]
-
9/22 - 49ers Move To 3-0, Week 2 Picks and Predictions
by Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 1:58 pm
Ian and John discuss the 49ers win over the Giants on Thursday Night […]
-
9/21 - Thursday Night Football Preview; NFL MVP Talk
by Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:15 pm
Ian and John preview Thursday Night Football between the Giants and 49ers […]
-
9/19 - Monday Night Recap, State of Quarterback Play, 2-0 Teams
by Full Press Coverage on September 19, 2023 at 2:08 pm
Ian and John discuss MNF and talk about the state of quarterback play. […]
-
9/18 - Week 2 Headlines; Monday Night Football Predictions
by Full Press Coverage on September 18, 2023 at 2:05 pm
Ian and John discuss some of the headlines from Sunday's action, some […]
-
9/22 - 49ers Move To 3-0, Week 2 Picks and Predictions
by Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 1:58 pm
Ian and John discuss the 49ers win over the Giants on Thursday Night […]
-
9/21 - Thursday Night Football Preview; NFL MVP Talk
by Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:15 pm
Ian and John preview Thursday Night Football between the Giants and 49ers […]
-
Ep 183: Week 3 Preview vs Saints
by Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:11 am
In this episode, Kyle Senra is joined by Courtney Burrows (luvtractor3) […]
-
Ep 134: NFL Week 2 Studs And Duds
by Full Press Coverage on September 20, 2023 at 7:07 pm
Ian and Braden give their Studs and Duds for the second week of NFL […]
-
9/19 - Monday Night Recap, State of Quarterback Play, 2-0 Teams
by Full Press Coverage on September 19, 2023 at 2:08 pm
Ian and John discuss MNF and talk about the state of quarterback play. […]
-
9/18 - Week 2 Headlines; Monday Night Football Predictions
by Full Press Coverage on September 18, 2023 at 2:05 pm
Ian and John discuss some of the headlines from Sunday's action, some […]
-
Ep 133: Week 2 Overreactions
by Full Press Coverage on September 18, 2023 at 2:03 pm
Ian and John overreact to what they saw in Week 2 of the NFL. Learn more […]
-
Ep 182: Week 2 Instant Reactions
by Full Press Coverage on September 18, 2023 at 1:52 am
The Green Bay Packers lost a close 25-24 game at the hands of the Atlanta […]
Comments 4