Devils shut out Rangers in Game 7 to set up 2nd-round series vs. Canes

The New Jersey Devils defeated the New York Rangers 4-0 in Monday's Game 7 to advance to the second round.

Michael McLeod's and Tomas Tatar's second-period goals gave the Devils the lead before Erik Haula netted the dagger in the final frame. Jesper Bratt added an empty-netter later in the period.

Rookie sensation Akira Schmid made 31 saves for his second shutout of the series. Martin Brodeur is the only other Devils goaltender to post a Game 7 shutout. His .951 save percentage in the postseason leads all goaltenders with more than one start.

New Jersey turned to the 22-year-old after dropping the first two games of the series at home. Schmid was scored on only twice in his first three starts as the Devils stormed back to take a 3-1 lead, before allowing five goals in Game 6.

The series victory is the Devils' first since 2012 when they reached the Stanley Cup Finals. New York fails to advance to the second round after making the Eastern Conference Finals last season.

"Some people would be like, 'Oh, they're inexperienced,' but really we're just like … 'We don't know better,'" Jack Hughes said postgame, according to team reporter Amanda Stein. "We just play, and we do the best we can.“

Rangers forward Chris Kreider scored six goals in the series but was disappointed with his performance in the finale.

"Personally, I feel responsible for some of the goals they scored," Kreider said, according to New York Post's Mollie Walker. "Being a veteran guy, I'm supposed to be defensively responsible. ... Can't be on the ice for all four goals and hurt us like that."

Timo Meier exited the game after being on the receiving end of a massive hit from Jacob Trouba in the third period. Meier returned to the New Jersey bench but didn't play a shift.

The Devils will face the Carolina Hurricanes in the next round. The series begins Wednesday in Raleigh.