Devils Win Playoff Series For First Time Since 2012

Good morning and happy Tuesday, May 2nd.

Here’s what we got for you today:

• Devils shutout Rangers in game 7

• Darryl Sutter fired from Flames

• Florida Panthers minimizing Leafs’ fans at home games

• Skittles trolling the Bruins

• And much more 👇

The New Jersey Devils are heading to the second round of the NHL playoffs and their fan base barely knows how to act.

The Devils’ 4-0 win against the New York Rangers in a Game 7 Monday gave them their first NHL playoff series win since 2012. That was the year the Devils went to the Stanley Cup Final and lost to the Los Angeles Kings. Since then, New Jersey missed the playoffs nine times and lost a first-round matchup to Tampa Bay in the other season.

Akira Schmid was a grade school student in Switzerland the last time the Devils got this far in the postseason. Monday, he was in New Jersey’s net becoming the fifth rookie in NHL history to record a Game 7 shutout.

His 31 saves were the most by a rookie in a Game 7 shutout. The other rookies to blank opponents in a Game 7: Montreal’s Carey Price (25 saves, 2008), Anaheim’s Ilya Bryzgalov (22, 2006), Toronto’s Felix Potvin (25, 1993) and New York Islanders’ Glenn “Chico” Resch (30, 1975).

The Devils will meet the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round starting Wednesday in Raleigh, N.C.

Schmid was New Jersey’s backup this season. But he was given the opportunity to start after the Rangers won the first two games of the series. He was 4-1 in the series with two shutouts, a .951 save percentage and 1.38 goals-against average. In his four wins in the series, he gave up only two goals.

Surprising play has been the Devils’ theme this season. In 2021-22, New Jersey (27-46-9) finished 28th out of 32 teams. But this season, the Devils owned the league’s third-best record (52-22-8).

🐆 The Florida Panthers are restricting ticket sales to US residents only in order to limit the number of Toronto Maple Leafs fans attending their second-round playoff series. The Panthers' decision was made in response to concerns that the Maple Leafs fans, who are known for traveling in large numbers to support their team, would buy up tickets and potentially outnumber the home fans. While the move has been criticized by some, the Panthers hope to maximize their home ice atmosphere.

What skater led the Florida Panthers in average time on ice this regular season?

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• Bruins' Bergeron to take time to reflect on retirement, played with herniated disc

• Capitals sign Ivan Miroshnichenko to an entry-level contract

• BCHL leaving Hockey Canada in effort to give players more opportunities

• 🚨 Michael McLeod dangles Igor Shesterkin for game 7 game-winner

• 🎲 John Marino dices through Rangers defence before setting up Tatar

• 🎯 Erik Haula snipes one-timer for 3-0 lead

• 💥 Jacob Trouba blows up Timo Meier crossing through the middle

• 🤝 Devils & Rangers exchange handshakes moments after New Jersey's game 7 triumph

• 1-on-1 Swedish overspeed drill

• Change your shot angle to score more goals with this drill

TRIVIA ANSWER

Brandon Montour led the Florida Panthers with 24:08 of average ice time this season