NEW YORK, NY -Akira Schmid claims he was nervous.
"Yes, very," he grinned.
But the 22-year-old netminder didn't look in the least bit nervous on the ice in a pivotal Game 3 matchup between the Devils and New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
All the 6-foot-5, 205-pound Swiss goaltender did was calmly turn aside 35 of 36 shots in a 2-1 overtime victory Saturday night against the Rangers that helped New Jersey win its first game of the series.
Taking Schmid at his word, the nerves may have been there, but it was hard to empirically prove. If they were there, Schmid's Devils teammates certainty didn't notice.
"He's stone cold, no pulse, always relaxed and poised," said center Jack Hughes, who scored a power-play goal for the Devils in the game. "We have a lot of confidence in Schmid coming in. He showed everyone how good he is, and we'd like him to keep that going."
"He's been great all year. He's so steady and so calm," said defenseman Dougie Hamilton, who scored the OT winner. "He showed it again (Saturday) coming to MSG in his first playoff game and to play like that, is pretty impressive."
'Stone Cold' Akira Schmid | COLUMN
The Devils 22-year-old goaltender's calm demeanor was a key factor in winning his NHL playoff debut in Game 3 against the Rangers
Schmid's calm demeanor in net is part acting.
"I try not to show that I'm nervous. I don't want to give that vibe off," said Schmid, who found out late Friday that he would be starting. "I stay calm. I got better once I stepped on the ice. It made it a little bit easier."
Schmid's calm demeanor in net is also part DNA.
"That's just how I am. That's just how I'm built," he said.
Nerves would be understandable for any goaltender making his NHL playoff debut.
Now, add in the fact that Schmid is just 22 years old (and joined Martin Brodeur and Sean Burke as the only goalies in Devils history to play their first playoff game under 23 years of age).
Now, add in the fact that the game was on the road at Madison Square Garden, one of the most hostile road venues, under the bright New York City lights.
Now, add in the fact that the game went into overtime with every shot possible proving fatal.
Now, add in the fact that the Devils were trailing 2-0 in their First Round Stanley Cup playoff series to the Rangers. Game 3 was a proverbial "must win" situation for the Devils.
Now, add in the fact that the Devils were placing the hopes of their entire season on Schmid's shoulders.
So, yes, nerves would be understandable.
But never at any point during the 60 minutes of play nor the 11:36 minutes worth of overtime did Schmid look rattled.
"He showed a lot of poise for a young man to come into this building and play," head coach Lindy Ruff said. "He has that demeanor. He's had it all year long. There's not a lot that bothers him."
It's been a wild journey for Schmid this season. With injuries felling Mackenzie Blackwood, Schmid played 18 regular-season games for the Devils this year. He earned a 9-5-2 record with a 2.13 goals-against average and .922 save percentage. That included his first career NHL win against Arizona on Nov. 12.
But his quick ascension came late in the season. After Blackwood suffered another injury late in March, Schmid was recalled from Utica of the American Hockey League once again. Even though Blackwood returned to the lineup in April, Schmid hung around.
Schmid made a relief appearance in the Devils' final regular-season game at Washington. He stopped all 20 shots against as New Jersey overcame a 4-1 deficit to win the game, 5-4, in overtime. The performance earned Schmid the backup goalie position at the start of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
After matching 5-1 losses for the Devils in Games 1 and 2, the Devils put their season in the hands of the neophyte netminder.
"It was a decision that we, as an organization, spent a lot of time talking about last night," Ruff said. "We decided to go with him."
Schmid made his first playoff save on a tight shot by Filip Chytil. Then, as the Rangers received an early first-period power play, Schmid flashed the blocker to deny a chance from above the circles by Mika Zibanejad, the Rangers' leading goal scorer this season with 39 tallies.
"He's doing a really good job," forward Erik Haula said. "He's coming into games. He's up and down (from the minors). He's been like that all year. He's given us a chance every time he's been in the net. Hats off to him. Not an easy place to come to down 2-0 to MSG. The place is rocking. He stayed in there and gave us a chance to win."
Zooming out further, the Devils' fifth-round pick (136th overall) in the 2018 NHL Draft has come a long way. It's almost been exactly two years - May 17, 2021 - since Schmid signed his entry-level contract.
The Bern native signed after finishing a 2020-21 season for the ages. He was named USHL Goaltender of the Year after posting a 22-13-1 record in 36 games for Sioux City. His 2.01 goals-against average and .921 save percentage led the league, while his three shutouts tied for league lead.
From USHL to the Stanley Cup playoffs in two years.
"It means a lot. Coming from junior to pro is a big step," Schmid said.
And he's not done yet.
"We had full confidence when we saw that he was playing," Hamilton said. "He makes saves look easy. He did it again. And now he'll have to do it again next game."
