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Sharks’ Mackenzie Blackwood Off to Hot Start

The San Jose Sharks might have had a tough begin to the season on paper, however one optimistic has been the play of Mackenzie Blackwood. Even although his save proportion (SV%) is at present at a reasonably excessive .926, it doesn’t mirror how robust his play has been by two video games. The Sharks acquired him for a sixth-round draft choose in the course of the offseason, and the most important purpose for that was they hoped he might play on the degree we’ve seen up to now this season. He was seen as one of many prime goaltending prospects within the NHL after he was drafted and though he confirmed glimpses of how good he may very well be beforehand, he was by no means ready to do it constantly. 

Two Strong Starts

Blackwood’s debut efficiency towards the Colorado Avalanche will go down as one of many best debuts in Sharks’ historical past. He was a minute and 28 seconds away from a 50-save shutout. Not solely was he making loads of saves, however he made a few unbelievable ones together with robbing Cale Makar within the third interval on what appeared like a sure objective. Unfortunately for San Jose, Makar was ready to rating an equalizer with an additional skater and push the sport into additional time. The Avalanche would then go on to win the sport within the shootout, in a massively disappointing loss for the Sharks.

After the sport, David Quinn was requested about Blackwood’s efficiency and acknowledged “[He was] outstanding. He’s so big, and he’s so calm, and there was an elite performance. When asked about the positive reinforcement he received from Quinn, Blackwood said “Sometimes you can do all those things and not get rewarded for it. But eventually, you know, if you keep doing the right stuff, then eventually it’ll turn, and it’s nice to see some positive results go my way after working pretty hard.”

Mackenzie Blackwood San Jose Sharks
Mackenzie Blackwood of the San Jose Sharks waits for the puck towards Valeri Nichushkin of the Colorado Avalanche (Photo by Kavin Mistry/NHLI by way of Getty Images)

The second recreation began off very robust, however the Carolina Hurricanes had been ready to maintain heavy strain, and towards the top of the sport, Blackwood appeared to run out of steam. With that being stated, the numbers don’t mirror how effectively he performed during that game. He made some large saves early on, however sadly, he wasn’t ready to get a lot assist in entrance of him. It’s additionally value noting that solely two objectives had been scored at even power. These are the one two that he’s given up up to now this season when it’s 5-on-5. The relaxation had been scored both on the facility play or in Jaccob Slavin’s case, whereas the Hurricanes had been shorthanded. The Sharks took manner too many penalties and had been closely outshot everything of the sport. While the rating was shut for almost all of the competition, it’s clear that Carolina was outplaying San Jose in almost each side. Blackwood did his greatest to preserve his staff within the combine, however after roughly 50 minutes, it turned tough to achieve this. 

What Needs to Happen Moving Forward

One factor is obvious from Blackwood’s two performances up to now this season. He’s dialed in and prepared to play at a excessive degree. He almost stole the sport towards Colorado, which the Sharks actually deserved to lose. While his efficiency in Carolina wasn’t as spectacular as his first one, he performed effectively towards them too. The Sharks want to assist him out although. Facing 94 photographs in his first two video games with the group doesn’t bode effectively for the long run. It actually made for entertaining hockey, however when a goaltender is dealing with that a lot strain as a rule, they’ll finally crack.


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It’s value noting that Marc-Edouard Vlasic left the sport towards Colorado early and was out of the lineup towards Carolina, which didn’t assist. However, there are loads of defensemen who had been on the verge of creating the lineup and had been unable to achieve this ultimately. These gamers will get a possibility to step into the lineup and show that they belong. Nikolai Knyzhov, Ty Emberson, and Nikita Okhotiuk (when wholesome) are on the verge of being NHL regulars however want to show that they will make that leap now. Henry Thrun tried to achieve this however was recently assigned to the San Jose Barracuda of the American Hockey League (AHL). 

Marc-Edouard Vlasic San Jose Sharks
Marc-Edouard Vlasic, San Jose Sharks (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

If the protection in entrance of Blackwood improves, it’ll make it simpler for him to carry out at a excessive degree constantly. He’s not going to have the opportunity to make 40 or extra saves an evening each night time, and if that’s the expectation for this season, he’s basically arrange for failure. Short-handed objectives may also be a constant chance so long as the teaching workers sticks with the five-forward energy play unit. Of course, it’s additionally value noting that the Sharks have began the season towards 4 of probably the most harmful groups within the NHL. 

Related: Sharks’ Henry Thrun Won’t Be With Barracuda For Very Long

Blackwood has had a powerful begin to the season for the Sharks, however for it to be sustainable, he’s going to need assistance from the staff in entrance of him. The protection wants to begin suppressing extra photographs and forestall odd-man rushes in any other case Blackwood’s play will undergo in consequence. Overall although, up to now we’ve seen precisely what the Sharks administration staff wished once they traded for Blackwood. The key shifting ahead might be consistency, particularly contemplating he’s sharing the online with Kaapo Kahkonen and sure gained’t get the vast majority of video games this season. 


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