The New Jersey Devils are off to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in 11 years.
The Devils defeated the New York Rangers 4-0 in Game 7 Monday night to win their first-round series, 4-3.
Michael McLeod and Tomas Tatar scored second-period goals in the win. It was the first goal in the series for both players. Erik Haula added a third goal with just over five minutes to play in the third period to put the game out of reach. Jesper Bratt then added an empty-net goal for insurance.
Akira Schmid, a 22-year-old rookie, posted his second shutout of the series to secure the win.
The Devils last reached the second round in 2012 en route to finishing runners-up to the Los Angeles Kings in the Stanley Cup Final.
New Jersey missed the playoffs in nine of the past 10 seasons, making the post-season during the 2017-18 campaign but losing in five games to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round.
After finishing last season with just 63 points, New Jersey surged into second place in the Metropolitan Division with 112 points. Their 49-point differential set an NHL record for the greatest year-over-year improvement.
The Devils will now face the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round. Carolina eliminated the New York Islanders in six games as well capped with a 4-2 victory Friday night.
The puck will drop on that series Wednesday night with Game 1 in Raleigh on Sportsnet and SN NOW.
