Schmid stopped 26 shots in Friday's 2-1 loss to Columbus.
All the scoring came in the first period, and Schmid had little chance on either Blue Jackets tally. He locked things down over the final two frames, but so did Elvis Merzlikins in the other crease. Schmid has lost all four of his starts in November, but he's given up two goals or fewer on three occasions. The Devils have had trouble providing him with much offensive support, so the 23-year-old netminder's 2.69 GAA and .911 save percentage have gone to waste during his losing streak.
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Devils' Akira Schmid: Set to start Friday
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Schmid is expected to start at home against Columbus on Friday, per Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site.
Schmid has lost his last three outings while allowing eight goals on 84 shots (.905 save percentage) over that stretch. He's 1-3-1 with a 3.46 GAA and an .885 save percentage in six contests this season. Columbus ranks 22nd offensively with 2.90 goals per game this campaign.
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Devils' Akira Schmid: Fades late in loss
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Schmid stopped 25 of 30 shots in Tuesday's 6-3 loss to the Jets. The sixth goal was an empty-netter.
Schmid had posted a couple of solid outings, most recently in relief of Vitek Vanecek versus the Capitals on Friday. In his first start since Nov. 3, Schmidt faltered after a strong first period and ended up with his worst full game of the campaign. The 23-year-old is down to 1-3-1 with a 3.46 GAA and an .885 save percentage through six games. Schmid may be eventually at risk of losing his spot on the NHL roster if he can't find a groove, though that's unlikely to happen until Nico Daws (undisclosed) is activated from the season-opening injured reserve.
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Devils' Akira Schmid: Set to face Winnipeg
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Schmid was the first goalie off the ice at the morning skate, according to Devils play-by-play announcer Matt Loughlin, indicating he will defend the road net Tuesday against Winnipeg.
Schmid has stopped 51 of 54 shots in his past two appearances (0-2-0), including one in relief. Through five games played this season, he has a 1-2-1 record with a 3.09 GAA and an .898 save percentage. The Jets rank 10th in the league with 3.50 goals per contest this campaign.
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Devils' Akira Schmid: Needed in relief Friday
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Schmid stopped 20 of 21 shots in Friday's 4-2 loss to the Capitals after replacing Vitek Vanecek midway through the first period.
Two goals in 15 seconds against Vanecek put the Devils in an early hole, and Lindy Ruff's decision to switch goalies looked like it might pay off when the team nearly tied things up with a third-period rally. Schmid hasn't won a game since Oct. 20, allowing six goals on 62 shots in his three appearances since, but with Vanecek struggling, the 23-year-old netminder could see his workload increase beginning with Tuesday's game in Winnipeg.
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Devils' Akira Schmid: Takes loss in St. Louis
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Schmid allowed two goals on 33 shots in Friday's 4-1 loss to the Blues. The last two goals were empty-netters.
Schmid put in his best game of the season, but the Devils' offense, sans Jack Hughes (lower body) for much of the game, couldn't support the goalie. Through four outings, Schmid is 1-1-1 with 12 goals allowed on 106 shots. Vitek Vanecek isn't exactly dominating, but he's been getting results lately, so he'll likely be back between the pipes for Sunday's game in Chicago.
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Devils' Akira Schmid: Guarding cage Friday
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Schmid will get the starting nod in St. Louis on Friday, Matthew DeFranks of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Schmid was chased early in his last outing Oct. 25 after coughing up three goals on just eight shots against Washington. The 23-year-old has been tagged with 10 goals on 73 shots through three appearances this year. He's 1-0-1 but has allowed at least three goals in each appearance so far.
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Devils' Akira Schmid: Pulled after shaky first period
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Schmid stopped five of eight shots in the first period of Wednesday's 6-4 loss to the Capitals.
Schmid was replaced by Vitek Vanecek to begin the middle frame. The Devils' four-goal rally in the second period meant Schmid avoided the loss. With 10 goals allowed on 73 shots through three outings, the 23-year-old has yet to regain the form that he displayed over 18 contests last season. If Schmid continues to struggle, Vanecek could settle into a larger role. The Devils are back in action Friday at home versus the Sabres.
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Devils' Akira Schmid: Set to start Wednesday
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Schmid is slated to start at home against Washington on Wednesday.
Schmid and Vitek Vanecek have been alternating starts with the latter stopping 27 of 29 shots in a 5-2 victory over Montreal on Tuesday. In contrast, Schmid has struggled, allowing seven goals on 65 shots (.892 save percentage) over two contests this season, so he'll be looking to rebound Wednesday. The Capitals have averaged just 1.20 goals per game in 2023-24, so there's an opportunity here for Schmid to have a good game.
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Devils' Akira Schmid: Wins wild game in overtime
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Schmid allowed four goals on 32 shots in Friday's 5-4 overtime win against the Islanders.
Schmid wasn't at his best, but he was the beneficiary of four power-play goals in regulation to help bail him out time and time again. The 23-year-old Swiss-born backstop has allowed seven goals on 65 shots across two starts, but he hasn't lost in regulation thanks to plenty of offensive support.
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Devils' Akira Schmid: Makes 30 saves in home setback
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Schmid allowed three goals on 33 shots in Friday's 4-3 shootout loss against the Coyotes.
Schmid fell into a 2-0 hole early in the second period, but the offense bailed him out with three unanswered goals. He had little chance on a power-play goal in the third period by Nick Schmaltz. After a scoreless overtime, both Nick Bjugstad and Schmaltz beat Schmid in the shootout for the difference makers.
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Devils' Akira Schmid: Guarding cage Friday
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Schmid will protect the home goal Friday versus the Coyotes, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.
Schmid will get the second half of a back-to-back after Vitek Vanecek picked up the win Thursday against the Red Wings. This is Schmid's first start of the season. The 23-year-old went 9-5-2 with a 2.13 GAA and a .922 save percentage in 18 contests last season, establishing himself as a strong backup option for the Devils.
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Devils' Akira Schmid: Takes season-ending loss
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Schmid stopped 36 of 39 Carolina shots Thursday. It was not enough, however. The Devils took a season-ending 3-2 loss in overtime.
Schmid was Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde in his nine postseason appearances. He could follow a 31-save shutout by allowing three goals on 11 shots. He may be the goaltender of the future in New Jersey, but the postseason left managers with more questions than answers about Schmid.
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Devils' Akira Schmid: Expected to start Thursday
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Schmid is set to guard the road crease against Carolina in Game 5 on Thursday.
New Jersey is going back to Schmid after Vitek Vanecek allowed 11 goals on 57 shots over the Devils' last three contests. Schmid has a 2.29 GAA and .921 save percentage in eight playoff outings this year, but he has struggled recently too, surrendering eight goals on 48 shots over his last three outings. Carolina has averaged 3.70 goals per game in the 2023 postseason.
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Devils' Akira Schmid: Makes 11 saves in relief
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Schmid kicked out 11 of 12 shots in relief in a 6-1 loss to Carolina in Game 4 on Tuesday.
Vitek Vanecek surrendered five goals on 17 shots before being pulled midway through the second period. Schmid was beaten by Jordan Martinook towards the end of the second frame, but he was great the rest of the way. Schmid, who wasn't charged with the loss Tuesday, has a 4-3 record, 2.29 GAA and .921 save percentage in eight playoff outings this year. It wouldn't be surprising to see Schmid start in Game 5 on Thursday, given how badly Vanecek has struggled in the postseason.
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Devils' Akira Schmid: Gets pulled in loss to Carolina
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Schmid allowed four goals on 25 shots before being pulled in New Jersey's 6-1 loss to Carolina in Game 2 on Friday.
Schmid was strong in the first period, but after surrendering four goals on 16 shots in the second, Vitek Vanecek was put in net for the third frame. Although Schmid posted a 4-1 record, 1.38 GAA and .951 save percentage in five contests from April 22-May 1, he's now been yanked in each of his last two appearances and was charged with both losses. Schmid's recent struggles might result in Vanecek starting Sunday.
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Devils' Akira Schmid: Guarding cage Friday
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Schmid will get the starting nod in Carolina for Game 2 on Friday, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.
After an impressive series against the Rangers, Schmid was blitzed by Carolina in Game 1. He coughed up three goals on 11 shots and was yanked shortly after the start of the second period. The team has faith that he can turn the series around and will send him back out for Game 2 on Friday. Schmid is 4-2 with a .935 save percentage in six postseason appearances.
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Devils' Akira Schmid: Gets hook in Game 1
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Schmid was pulled from Game 1 against the Hurricanes on Wednesday after allowing three goals on 11 shots. He took the loss in the 5-1 defeat.
Schmid got the hook after the Devils fell behind 3-0 just 1:55 into the second period. The 22-year-old goalie won four of the final five games in New Jersey's first-round series against the Rangers while allowing only seven goals, but Carolina had little trouble figuring him out. It remains to be seen if the Devils go with Schmid or Vitek Vanecek -- who allowed one goal on 11 shots Wednesday -- in Game 2 on Friday.
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Devils' Akira Schmid: In goal Wednesday
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Schmid will guard the road goal in Game 1 of the Devils' second-round series versus the Hurricanes, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.
Schmid has won four of his five starts during the postseason, adding an impressive 1.38 GAA and a .951 save percentage. The 22-year-old was able to guide the Devils to the second round, and he'll look to keep rolling against the Hurricanes.
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Devils' Akira Schmid: Bounces back in Game 7
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Schmid stopped 31 shots in Monday's 4-0 series-clinching win over the Rangers.
Following a down performance in Game 6, Schmid returned to form in Game 7, stopping all 31 shots he faced to record his second shutout of the postseason to help the Devils advance to the second round. The 22-year-old Schmid finished the series 4-1-0 with a stellar .951 save percentage. He'll look to keep rolling in the second round when New Jersey takes on Carolina.
