In the NHL playoffs, the New Jersey Devils were down two games after losing 5-1 twice on their own turf. However, they realised they needed to make a change ahead of Game 3 in New York. While the Devils’ losses could not be entirely attributed to starting netminder Vitek Vanecek, who had an .827 save percentage, the club’s struggling offence had provided little margin for error. Rookie Akira Schmid replaced Vanecek and gave an impressive performance on his post-season debut, letting just one puck past him and leading the Devils to a 2-1 overtime victory.
Despite averaging 3.52 goals per game and tying for fourth-highest in the league throughout the season, the Devils have struggled to score in the playoffs. Shots per game have decreased from 28.4 to 26.7, while two forwards have been the only ones to score for New Jersey, with only two even-strength goals and an Erik Haula power-play goal.
Meanwhile, Chris Kreider has been dominating for the New York Rangers, scoring five of the team’s goals in the post-season so far. In the regular season, their power-play was a force, but the team has been unable to capitalise recently. The Rangers were unable to score on any of their five power-play attempts during Game 3.
Lastly, the Colorado Avalanche beat the Seattle Kraken in a 6-4 win, with two goals each from Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen, plus a goal and an assist from Cale Makar. J.T. Compher also scored a shorthanded marker in the first period. Colorado’s depth is being tested, whereas Seattle’s strength in that area is noticeable. In Game 3, forward Valeri Nichuschkin was absent from the Colorado lineup for personal reasons.
