Nate Schmidt signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with the Florida Panthers in free agency last summer — and he’s been price every penny after which some to date within the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The 33-year-old has scored the game-winning goal in each Games 1 and a couple of against the Tampa Bay Lightning, helping his team open up a commanding 2-0 series lead heading back to Sunrise. And he also joined an exclusive list in the method.
“Schmidt became the sixth defenseman in NHL history to attain three goals through his first two games of a playoff 12 months, joining Lidstrom (1995), Steve Chiasson (1991), Mike O’Connell (1983), Dick Redmond (1973) and George Boucher (1921),” wrote NHL.com’s Amalie Benjamin on Friday morning.
“He also became the eighth defenseman within the NHL’s modern era (since 1943-44) to attain the game-winning goal in consecutive playoff games, joining Lidstrom (2007), Chris Chelios (1995), Al MacInnis (1989), Scott Stevens (1986), Paul Coffey (1985), Ron Greschner (1979) and J.C. Tremblay (1971).”
Signed as a depth blue liner, Schmidt has as a substitute been a whole difference-maker to date. He’s been arguably Florida’s best defenseman at each ends of the rink through two games against Tampa.
“I’m feeling that we’ve a 2-0 lead going home. And one way or the other, someway, I discovered a method to rating a pair goals in the primary a part of the series that ended up being difference-makers, which is awesome,” Schmidt told Benjamin after Game 2.
The veteran defenseman continued: “This team, initially of the 12 months for me, you only wish to step in and never screw it up. You then begin to integrate yourself into this group and find the way you bring your individual brand to the sport.”
After being bought out by the Winnipeg Jets 10 months ago, Schmidt has found a house with the Panthers — and he’s taking advantage of his opportunity.
Nate Schmidt, Panthers have a commanding lead on Lightning
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Schmidt’s heroics couldn’t have come at a greater time. After ending third place within the Atlantic Division and failing to secure home-ice advantage against the Lightning, the Panthers have now stolen it back after which some.
They’ll have the chance to open up an insurmountable 3-0 series lead at home on Saturday afternoon.
“Really positive, upbeat, type of vocal guy; I’d put him in the identical category as Seth Jones, in some ways, coming off a bunch of years in a totally different type of play, and he just built his game over the course of the season,” head coach Paul Maurice said of Schmidt.
“The back half of the season he had adjusted to how we play and has been very effective. And he falls into that category of veteran player that appreciates and enjoys the playoffs at a very high level.”
It is the fourth playoff meeting in five years between Florida and Tampa Bay, with the winner advancing to the Stanley Cup Final each of the last thrice.
The Panthers are actually the overwhelming favorite to win the series, and the way in which they’ve been playing — including Schmidt’s emergence — it would not be surprising in the event that they made one other deep run for Lord Stanley this spring.
Puck is about to drop on Game 3 just past 1:00 p.m. ET Saturday afternoon at Amerant Bank Arena.
