April 22, 2023, 7:38 PM
The New Jersey Devils have a new starting goaltender for Game 3 of their playoff series against the New York Rangers — rookie Akira Schmid.
With the Devils down 2-0 in the series, the team made the move to replace a struggling Vitek Vanecek with Schmid for Saturday’s game.
Vanecek has allowed nine goals in the first two games and is sporting a .827 save percentage.
Schmid, just 22 and with 24 NHL games of experience, had a 9-5-0 record this season along with a 2.13 goals-against average and .922 save percentage.
Schmid represented Czechia at the 2019 and ’20 World Junior Championships.
You can be watch Game 3 on Sportsnet ONE and SN NOW at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.