New Jersey Devils, Schmid Shut Out Rangers 4-0, Will Face Carolina

The New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers battled for the last time in the 2022-23 season. Game 7 was the kind of game that players love but the fans hate because of the uncertainty. It’s the game where one small mistake could cost a team a shot at the Stanley Cup.

Both teams had battled to keep their season alive, and all it took was one game to end it all. The Rangers, battle-tested, and the Devils, in new territory. One is moving on, and the other is going home.

The New York Rangers would be the team going home, as the New Jersey Devils shut out the Rangers 4-0.

The New Jersey Devils and Akira Schmid shut out the Rangers to advance.

The first period had no scoring. This was your typical first period of Game 7. The New Jersey Devils had three penalties to the New York Rangers’ one. The shots on goal were in favor of New Jersey, 7-6.

New Jersey Devils goalie Akira Schmid and New York Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin were not tested but had to be sharp because of the lack of shots. The Prudential Center was ready to erupt.

The second period was similar to the first as there was no scoring halfway through the period. The New Jersey Devils broke the ice, as forward Michael McLeod scored a short-handed goal.

After a  turnover in the Rangers zone, forward Ondrej Palat found McLeod in front of the net, uncovered. McLeod then proceeded to make a small move in front and backhanded the puck past Shesterkin for a 1-0 Devils lead.

A few moments later, forward Tomas Tatar made it 2-0 New Jersey. Defenseman John Marino skated into the offensive zone and took a shot that was wide. Marino continued to pursue the puck in  the corner and found Tatar in front for the goal, as Nico Hishier would get an assist on the play. The period would end with the period lead at 2-0, and the shots were even at 18.

If there was any question about the outcome, the Devils put those questions to bed in the third.  Erik Haula would put the Devils ahead 3-0 on a goal assisted by Jack Hughes and Palat. Two minutes later, Jesper Bratt would seal this Game 7 for the Devils with an empty net goal, assisted by Marino.

That would be it for the scoring and this series. The New Jersey Devils eliminated the New York Rangers in Game 7 by the score of 4-0 with the shutout going to Schmid. The Rangers would outshoot the Devils 31-24.

The Devils move on to the second round to face the Carolina Hurricanes. The second round likely begins for these teams on Wednesday, May 3rd in Carolina.