DEVILS 2 – RANGERS 1 – OVERTIME
It took overtime but the New Jersey Devils found a way to finally get a win in this best-of-seven quarterfinal series against their cross-rival rivals, the New York Rangers, thanks to Dougie Hamilton’s goal that sent Jersey to a 2-1 victory.
The victory was a breath of fresh air, a relief for a Jersey team that had been outscored 10-2 by the Rangers in the first two games.
Give Devils Head Coach Lindy Ruff credit for making a change at goalie, going with Akira Schmid instead of Vitek Vanecek – a tough decision considering Vanecek has been THE guy for the Devils in goal all season.
And Schmid delivered a brilliant performance, holding the Rangers to just Chris Kreider’s fifth goal of this series, which he scored about four minutes into the second period.
The rest of the night, Schmid kept the Rangers out of the net, made some great saves, and was supported by a stiff Devils defense.
Jersey tied the game late in the second period when Jack Hughes flicked it past Igor Shesterkin, giving the Devils the confidence they needed the rest of the way.
Now we have a series.
