Akira Schmid, the Devils’ 22-year-old rookie goalie, saved New Jersey’s season with a dominant night between the pipes.
“I thought he played a heck of a game,’’ Ruff said. “He showed a lot of poise for a young man to come into this building and play the way he did. He has that calm demeanor. He’s had it all year long. There’s not a lot that bothers him. He’s a pretty poised kid.’’“But I tried to not show anyone, because I didn’t want to give that vibe off,” Schmid added.
“To come into MSG in his first playoff game and to play like that I think is pretty impressive,’’ said Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton, who scored the game-winning goal in overtime. “He’s always so steady and so calm and he showed that tonight. We had full confidence when we saw he was playing. He plays the puck great, looks so calm in the net and makes saves look easy. Now, he’ll have to do it again next game.’’Schmid survived five Rangers’ power plays on the night.
After Kreider’s goal, Schmid never looked rattled. He looked like he’d been there before — even though he hadn’t.Schmid, who was selected in the fifth round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, played three seasons in the USHL. Game 3 at the Garden with the Devils’ season hanging in the balance, was a big step up.
Schmid started 14 games in the regular season and had a 9-5 record with a 2.13 goals-against average and a 92.2 save percentage. On Nov. 10, he got his first career NHL victory in a 4–3 overtime win over the Senators. On Feb. 25, he recorded his first NHL shutout in a 7–0 win over the Flyers.Inside the Devils’ dressing room before the game, there was an understanding that a goaltender change was being made.
“I don’t think it’s Vitek’s fault,’’ Devils wing Miles Wood told The Post. “You can’t pinpoint one person for this. [Ruff] is trying to spark something.’’
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