New Jersey Devils legend Patrik Elias, who spent his entire career with the organization from 1995-2016, made a surprise appearance in the team’s locker room after their Game 4 win at Madison Square Garden, tying the series 2-2. Elias’s excitement was palpable as he screamed, “Jesus Christ! F*ckin how excited am I boys?!” He also told goaltender Akira Schmid and defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler that he would be gifting them Swiss chocolates.
Elias’s enthusiasm for the team and the energy they brought to overcome a 2-0 deficit seems to have had a significant impact. The 22-year-old goaltender Akira Schmid got his first playoff start in Game 3 after the Devils were outscored 10-2 across Games 1 and 2. This bold move has paid off, with Schmid posting a 0.91 GAA and a .966 SV% across the two games, becoming a key factor in the Devils’ comeback.
Key players Jack Hughes, Dougie Hamilton, and Jesper Bratt have all stepped up as well, each contributing three points to the series. With the series tied and momentum on their side, the Devils will return home for Game 5, hoping to be the first team in the series to secure a home win.
The presence of a franchise icon like Patrik Elias, along with the performance of their rising stars, has energized the New Jersey Devils as they look to continue their playoff success. The team and its fans will undoubtedly be hoping that this newfound energy carries them to a series win against the New York Rangers.
