Let's take a time machine back to the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs, dear reader. No, we're not going to relive the Vegas Golden Knights winning the Stanley Cup, although you're more than welcome to. Instead, we're focusing on Akira Schmid when he faced the New York Rangers.
Back when the Swiss goalie was a New Jersey Devils star, he was in net to help the Garden State's resident hockey team move on. In fact, he stole the series with a GAA of 2.35 and a save percentage of .921. Devils fans rejoiced as their hated rivals were sucked up like ectoplasm.
Looks like Schmid ain't afraid of no ghost. Cue the meme.
In all seriousness, Schmid gets the call for Tuesday's game against the New York Rangers. He's expected to face Igor Shesterkin, who's been unstoppable in the net since he arrived on the scene. We're talking about a GAA of 2.39 this season to go with a save percentage of .912. That's not even mentioning his career statistics, which consist of a GAA of 2.52 and a save percentage of .917.
Let's just say that the 25-year-old has a task as tall as his 6'5" frame on Tuesday. Granted, he has had his shining moments in his temporary role this season (2.50 GAA, .900 save percentage). However, there are some things that I'd personally love to see from the goaltender against the Rangers.
How I want Akira Schmid to win Tuesday's game for the Vegas Golden Knights against the New York Rangers
Let's go back to that fateful series for the Rangers against the Devils for a second. New Jersey was reeling after two straight home games by a combined score of 10-2. Lindy Ruff was looking for a massive shakeup, so he did what every normal coach would do: swap Vitek Vanecek for Akira Schmid.
The Swiss netminder thrived as the substitute, helping the Devils win in seven games. Again, Devils fans are rejoicing and laughing in the faces of their hated rivals. It's a glorious sight.
In fact, Schmid has excelled in stepping into this particular situation. First, he stopped all 19 shots in relief of Adin Hill against the Calgary Flames on October 14. A week later, Hill goes down again and Schmid's left to pick up the pieces. But that's not a problem since the goaltender stops 22 of 23 shots in a 4-1 win against the Carolina Hurricanes.
This might sound rather cheesy, like a quesadilla. However, the objective is simple: pretend like you're stepping in for an injured or ineffective goaltender. Schmid has thrived in this regard, acting as the proverbial relief pitcher for the Golden Knights.
How does Schmid do that against the Rangers?
One thing that you'll see with the Golden Knights netminder is that he's big. Schmid stands at 6'5", making it easy for him to cover the entire net. Thus, the objective is simple.
Schmid can't be caught overcommitting on his movements and must simplify his game. The Rangers have done well on the road, scoring 37 goals away from Madison Square Garden entering Tuesday's contest (fifth in the NHL). Make all the jokes you want about New York not scoring in the Big Apple. But that's not where the game will be played on Tuesday.
The top three teams on that list have all won at T-Mobile Arena this season. That consists of the following:
- Anaheim Ducks (41)
- Los Angeles Kings (40)
- Colorado Avalanche (39)
If the Golden Knights want to take two points, they must have a solid performance from Schmid on Tuesday. No exceptions. Shesterkin will be tough to crack and goals will be at a premium. Therefore, the 25-year-old must hop into a time machine and pretend like it's the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs (heck, you could say that for the entire Golden Knights roster on Tuesday).