Akira Schmid Makes Statement In Preseason Game vs. Rangers

While there was talk of bringing in a veteran to give Schmid more time to develop in the minors, throw that out the window. Schmid showed in a preseason game that it is his net to lose. And there will be a point when he is the starter this season. With the Rangers pressing trying to take the lead, Schmid came up with the big saves, leading to the opening.

Early in the second, the Rangers again tilted the ice, especially in the first five to six minutes. Schmid again delivered for the Devils. He had some help from his friends with the goalposts. Rangers forward Will Cuylle, the high player, rang one off the post. There was another post in there as well, as the Devils could not clear the puck, leading to a Rangers power play.

Schmid was solid for the Devils, as the guys in front of him were able to kill off the penalty. But Schmid also made several saves to keep the Rangers off the board. Before leaving the game, Schmid not only robbed Mika Zibanejad, but Alex Belzile on a breakaway with his left pad. In the end, Schmid stopped 19 shots, not allowing a goal in an all-too-familiar scene.

Even though Erik Kallgren finished the game, face facts, Akira Schmid is the backup to Vitek Vanecek this season. And his performances in the preseason are giving the Devils no choice but to keep him.

Not to mention he might be the guy that plays against the Rangers when the Devils travel to Madison Square Garden this season, as he was named the first star of the game.

Top Line Looks Strong

Though the Devils did not have their entire roster, they did bring several big names to Madison Square Garden. Including newly acquired forward Tyler Toffoli. He was playing alongside Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt. That line opened the scoring late in the first period as Toffoli was able to trickle one past the pads of Igor Shesterkin.

Rookie defenceman Simon Nemec and J. Hughes got assists on the opening goal. That line was buzzing all night for the Devils. The chemistry between the three is undeniable. There are things they need to work on, but the Devils have a solid top nine this season, and there is a reason why they are a team to watch.

The looks this line had on the power play were great. Though they did not convert, the puck movement was excellent. Toffoli is a solid addition to a team that already had firepower. He just brought something else that was missing. Expect these guys to begin the season together.

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Young Defenceman Impress

Along with Akira Schmid, the young defenceman of Kevin Bahl, Simon Nemec, and Luke Hughes looked really good in front of him. Nemec continues to get better with each game. Remember, he played in the AHL last season. He has not missed a beat entering this preseason and training camp. Nemec used his speed and skill to his advantage. Igor Shesterkin robbed him with a glove save after the Devils made it 1-0. Nemec even brought the physicality going up against Alexis Lafreniere. But he is a more offensive defenseman than a defensive defenceman.

But that is what Kevin Bahl is for. For the second straight game, Bahl brought his physical game to the ice. He even added a nice sauce pass on Bratt’s third-period goal 25 seconds into the period. But this is who the Devils expected this player was going to be when they acquired him. Bahl has gotten bigger and stronger. And finally, the Devils have a physical presence on the blueline they have been missing for years.

And, of course, there is Luke Hughes. Hughes is only getting better as a player. His hockey IQ is ridiculous. You saw his speed on display, helping the Devils break out of their zone with his skating. The Rangers could not touch him. Now it is the preseason so you can get away with that now. The regular season will be tougher. But that is his best strength. Not to mention his passing. He had the secondary assist on the Bratt goal. His breakout pass to Bahl set the whole thing up.

The Devils’ defense is in good hands.

Defensive Zone Turnovers

One thing the Devils need to clean up is defensive zone turnovers. Jesper Bratt tried to do fancy sauce passes out of the zone three times and got burned. One of them led to the Rangers staying in the Devils zone for what felt like two minutes. It led to the Bahl interference call. Even in the first period, turnovers allowed the Rangers to get back into the game.

While these games don’t matter, this is the time to eliminate bad habits, especially defensive zone turnovers. Because, as everyone knows, those end up in the back of your net come playoff time.