The San Jose Sharks owe their last win to their starting goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood. Blackwood played one of his best games as a Shark. In addition, he broke the franchise history record while defeating the team that traded him over a year prior.
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Blackwood’s Abilities Tested by Devils in the Third Period
The New Jersey Devils are currently leading the Metropolitan Division by two points with 11 wins under their belts through 18 games played this season. The Sharks are sitting in seventh place in the Pacific Division, essentially making them the lesser of the two. Yet, their ability to hold their own, allowed for them to remain a force. The New Jersey Devils were not taking it easy on Blackwood, especially during the third period. Their drive and resiliency tested Blackwood’s abilities to block their shots and to stay alert when they were in the Sharks zone.
Blackwood had 19 shot saves in the third period, blocking out Jack Hughes during a power play shot and diving to prevent Nico Hischier from scoring with two minutes left in the period. He faced six Devils against his four Sharks due to a penalty and a pulled goalie in the late stages of the game.
In nine games played this season, Blackwood now has a save percentage is .910. This makes him ranked tied for second in Canadian netminders with at least seven game starts. It’s unlikely Blackwood actually garners any final attention towards a Team Canada nod, but he’s definitely doing his best to push the competition.
Regardless of it being early in the season, Blackwood proved his skills and his abilities on the ice, making the job look easy.
“It’s just one of those nights where it feels easy. I don’t know why sometimes that happens and sometimes it doesn’t, but sometimes pucks just seem like they’re coming in slow.”
Sharks Dial It In and Play As A Team To Find A Win.
The Shark’s appreciation for Blackwood was evident during the post-game press conference, praising him and his game against his old team. Head coach Ryan Warsofsky was asked about his thoughts on Blackwood’s shutout against his old team.
“Probably the best I’ve seen him play. I could just tell that he was dialled in and focused, tracking pucks very well.”
Fabian Zetterlund was thankful for Blackwood’s performance, calling him the best goalie in the NHL when asked in their post-game interviews.
Blackwood thought otherwise from Zetterlund, “Today? I’ll take it today. Tomorrow, eh, I don’t know, we’ll see. I appreciate that.”
Priceless exchange with Blackwood, I asked him about Zetterlund calling him the best goalie in the NHL right now: "Today? I'll take it today. But tomorrow, ehhhh I don't know, we'll see. Appreciate that." pic.twitter.com/Wuk1CyO6zb
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) November 11, 2024
He also discussed the dynamic of the team and came out on top, “It’s a team. So when you got the team rolling like that, feeding off each other, picking up blocks and hard out to the point, and doing all the right things, it’s contagious.”
The Sharks played a very defensive game against the Devils, allowing them to take some heat off Blackwood. Cody Ceci and Henry Thrun were the top performing Shark players, not only playing strong defence but also playing offensively.
Actual San Jose Sharks Impact Card #SJSharks pic.twitter.com/AFhSHpH3lx
— HockeyStatCards (@hockeystatcards) November 11, 2024
Blackwood Adds Another Shutout to His Record
This was Blackwood’s fourth career, 40-plus-save shutout, at only 27 years old. This is his 11th shutout win in his career.
He was drafted by the Devils in 2015. His first shutout was a 2-0 win over the Carolina Hurricanes in 2018, he had 37 recorded saves. The following game against the Vancouver Canucks, he recorded another shutout with a 25-shot save. Moreover, this season he has played very well. Besides the .910 SV%, three times this season he made 36 or more saves and allowed no more than two goals. However, his record in those three games is 1-1-1, seems he needs to do everything himself.
After 22 wins in 43 starts, the Devils traded him to the San Jose Sharks in 2023 where he signed a two-year deal. His time with the Sharks has been eventful and impactful. The Sharks are currently on their first East Coast road trip. No doubt that they will be tested by the opposing teams and they will need to remain vigilant to find another win.
Main Photo Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
