Mackenzie Blackwood’s impressive evolution as a goalie has made him a strong candidate for the Vezina Trophy this season
Denver: Mackenzie Blackwood is all about keeping it simple. He’s one of the top athletes in the NHL, known for making those incredible saves that leave everyone wondering how he did it.
His journey to becoming a Vezina Trophy contender hasn’t been straightforward. He faced some tough times, but he learned that relying on flashy saves wasn’t the key to being a consistent goalie.
“Being a goalie is tough mentally. You really have to understand your game,” Blackwood shared. “Positioning is crucial. If I’m in the right spot, the puck usually hits me. Letting the game come to you makes it easier.”
He added, “You’ve got to simplify things and not overuse your athleticism. It’s there when you need it, but don’t depend on it. Just play a straightforward game.”
And boy, did the Avalanche need him on Tuesday night. It was anything but boring for Blackwood as Colorado edged out the New York Rangers, 2-1, in overtime. His coach praised him as the best player on the ice, saying the team wouldn’t have earned any points without him.
When the Avalanche traded for Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood, they hoped to stabilize their goaltending after a shaky start from Alexandar Georgiev and Justus Annunen. What they got was way more than just stability.
In his 12 starts for the Avs, Blackwood has allowed two or fewer goals every time. The previous goalies managed that only 10 times in 27 games.
“I don’t want to speak poorly of the past guys; they were working hard. But with Blackwood and Wedgewood in net, it feels like we have a real shot at winning,” said Avs center Parker Kelly. “It’s nice to have that safety net.”
Blackwood was once seen as the future goalie for the New Jersey Devils. He had a great start, even finishing sixth in Calder Trophy voting in 2020. But then injuries and inconsistency hit hard, pushing him down the depth chart.
“My time in New Jersey started off well, but injuries piled up. I’d play for a month, then be out for two or three. It was tough to keep my game sharp,” Blackwood recalled. “I thought I’d never be fully healthy again.”
After a rough end with the Devils, Blackwood took the time to rethink his rehab approach. By summer 2023, he felt much better and ready to take on new challenges.
San Jose’s GM Mike Grier, who knew Blackwood from his time with the Devils, took a chance on him. It was a low-risk move that turned out to be a career-saver for Blackwood.
He credits Grier and Sharks goalie coach Thomas Speer for helping him rediscover his game. His performance improved, and the Avalanche took notice.
“He’s matured as a player,” said Avs coach Jared Bednar. “In San Jose, he was consistent and gave them a chance to win, even with a lot of shots against.”
Colorado rewarded Blackwood with a five-year, $26.25 million contract extension, and he’s been delivering Vezina-worthy goaltending ever since.
While Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebuyck is the favorite for the award, Blackwood’s .938 save percentage and 1.68 goals against average since joining the Avs have put him in the conversation.
He’s combined skill with consistency, showing up when it matters, like against the Rangers. This more mature Blackwood has been a game-changer for a team that needed solid goaltending, and he’s given them much more.
“His strength is reading the play and getting to where the puck is going,” Bednar said. “He’s efficient in his movements, and he makes tough saves look routine.”
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