Mackenzie Blackwood has risen to become one of the premier goaltenders in the NHL. At 28 years old, he has earned high praise from NHL insider and former goalie Kevin Weeks, who highlighted Blackwood’s progress on Monday’s NHL Tonight.
Drafted 42nd overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Blackwood spent four seasons with the team. His standout season was in the shortened 2019-20 campaign, where he logged a 22-14-8 record, a 2.77 goals-against average, and a .915 save percentage. Weeks shared why he has long admired Blackwood’s game, noting his combination of size and skill and how the goalie truly found his stride after moving west.
On June 27, 2023, as a restricted free agent, Blackwood was traded to the San Jose Sharks for a 2023 sixth-round pick and promptly signed a two-year deal. He debuted with the Sharks on October 14 in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Colorado Avalanche, the team that would later acquire him. Weeks believes this transition gave Blackwood the opportunity to sharpen his talents and demonstrate his ability to perform under pressure.
After a slow start to the season hindered by offseason surgery and missed training camp, Blackwood has rebounded impressively. He now boasts an 8-1-1 record with a career-best 2.21 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage. While some may credit his success to being part of a strong team, his individual heroics, such as crucial saves in a 3-2 win over the Flyers, prove his significant impact.
Weeks regards Blackwood as a “complete goalie” who has matured immensely. He appreciates that Blackwood has taken on the challenge of playing back-to-back games, a rarity nowadays, and has consistently delivered outstanding performances, including back-to-back wins against the Rangers.
Blackwood made 25 saves in a Saturday game that ended in a 3-2 overtime victory, followed by 23 saves the next day in another 3-2 win, showcasing his talent and reliability in goal.
Fan Take: Mackenzie Blackwood’s rise is a thrilling development for hockey fans, signaling the emergence of a top-tier goaltender who can change the course of games. His journey underscores the importance of perseverance and adaptability in professional sports, promising exciting moments for the NHL’s future.
