The New Jersey Devils, currently down 0-2 in their playoff series against the New York Rangers, are making a crucial change for Game 3. Akira Schmid will take over goaltending duties, backed up by Vitek Vanecek, as the Devils head to Madison Square Garden to try to spark a comeback.
Vanecek started both Games 1 and 2, but his .827 save percentage across those games left the Devils in a difficult position, losing 5-1 in each matchup. With their playoff hopes on the line, the Devils need a wake-up call to help them rally from this 2-0 deficit, and a goalie change may be just what they need.
At 22 years old, Schmid is a promising talent for the Devils. In his 14 regular-season appearances this year, he secured 9 wins, boasting an impressive 2.13 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage. By turning to Schmid for Game 3, the Devils are hoping to spark some life into the team.
As the pressure mounts for the Devils, all eyes will be on Schmid in tonight’s pivotal Game 3 at Madison Square Garden. With the series quickly slipping out of their hands, the Devils are counting on Schmid’s youthful energy and skill to reinvigorate the team and ignite a comeback against their rivals, the New York Rangers.
The Devils need to wake up offensively as well, because even if they would have had better defending and goaltending in the first 2 games, they only managed to score 2 goals, one of them being a penalty shot.
