Look Back: Akira Schmid

Goaltender Akira Schmid started the 2022-23 season projected as fourth on the Devils' goaltending depth chart, behind Vitek Vanecek, Mackenzie Blackwood and Nico Daws.

By the end of the season, he was the team's starting goaltender in the Stanley Cup playoffs. A lot happened in between for the 6-foot-5, 205-pound netminder.

The Bullet Points:

Unique Milestone

Schmid was recalled in early November due to an injury to Blackwood. He would make his season debut and pick up his first career NHL victory in a rather odd fashion.

Schmid was the team's backup Nov. 10 against Ottawa. But Vanecek left the game with under 10 minutes to play in the third period of a tied game, 3-3. So, Schmid took over for his first NHL action of the season. He stopped all seven shots against during those final minutes and 4:27 worth of overtime.

Schmid, who went 0-4 last season, picked up his first NHL victory after Nico Hischier scored in the extra session.

Record Replacement

Schmid began the regular season the same way he would finish it, coming off the bench and stopping every shot he faced to win an overtime contest. He dressed as the team's backup in the regular-season finale on April 13 at Washington.

But after Blackwood surrendered his fourth goal of the game just 1:05 into the second period, Schmid entered the contest. He stopped all 20 shots against as the Devils overcame a 4-1 deficit to win 5-4 in overtime.

The win set franchise records for the Devils in wins (52) and points (112) in a season. But more importantly for Schmid, it helped him earn the role of backup to start the Stanley Cup playoffs. Which led to…

Postseason Hero

After the Devils fell behind, 2-0, in their opening series against the New York Rangers, the team made a switch in goal and put their championship hopes on the shoulders of a 22-year-old rookie.

Schmid made his NHL playoff debut in Game 3 at Madison Square Garden in a must-win for New Jersey. And to add even more pressure, the contest went to overtime. Schmid stopped 36-of-37 shots as the Devils won in dramatic fashion to turn around their playoff fortunes.

Schmid notched two shutouts of the high-powered Rangers offense, in Game 5 and the winter-take-all Game 7. Without Schmid's heroic efforts, the Devils could have lost in the opening round to their hated rivals. Instead, they shook hands as the victors.

Remember This?

Schmid stopped all 31 Rangers' shots in Game 7 to lead the Devils into the Second Round.