The New Jersey Devils failed to beat the New York Rangers in Game 6 at Madison Square Garden, so now it’s down to one game. One game will settle whether this season was a success or a failure. Sure, the Devils will get props for taking this Rangers team, which went to the Eastern Conference Final last year and added Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane, to Game 7. Yet, the Devils added Timo Meier right before the NHL Trade Deadline. They also ended the season higher than the Rangers.
If the Devils win Game 7, everything is gravy from there. The Devils will want to advance further, but fans will always look back at this season fondly if they beat the Rangers. Now, it’s time to actually beat the Rangers. It all comes down to one game. Game 7.
For a team about to face the end of their season, a lot is still up in the air. By far the most important decision is the one that turned the series around.
Question #1: Who Is The Starting Goaltender?
Yeah, we are here again. Akira Schmid is the main reason the Devils are in this position at all. After Vitek Vanecek allowed nine goals in the first two games of the series, Schmid replaced him in the middle of Game 2 and never looked back. Schmid won two games in New York, then he came back to New Jersey and won another game. He’s been step for step with Igor Shesterkin outside of Game 6.
However, Schmid just played his 45th game of the season. That’s a career high. Is this what running out of gas looks like? Plus, Vanecek was the guy who brought the Devils to the postseason in the first place. He’s the only goaltender not named Martin Brodeur to win 30 games with this franchise.
Let’s be clear, it should be Schmid. We just wouldn’t be totally surprised if head coach Lindy Ruff went with Vanecek.