The Colorado Avalanche found their missing piece this past season and nobody saw it coming
Photo credit: Isaiah J. Downing / Imagn Images
MacKenzie Blackwood is the Colorado Avalanche's solution in net both now and in the foreseeable future.
Following his trade from the San Jose Sharks, Blackwood made 36 starts for the Avalanche, recording a 22-12-3 record with a .913 save percentage, a 2.33 GAA, and three shutouts.
The Colorado Avalanche finally found their missing piece this past season.
Coby Maier from NHL.com writes that Blackwood became just the second goaltender in franchise history, joining Darcy Kuemper (2021-22), to record at least 22 wins and three shutouts in his first 37 games with the team. In his debut Stanley Cup Playoff run, he also registered a 2.71 GAA and one shutout.
"Combined with his time in San Jose, Blackwood started 53 of the 56 games he played, posting a 28-21-6 record along with .912 save percentage, 2.55 goals-against average and a career-high four shutouts." -Maier
Since making his Avalanche debut on December 14th, Blackwood recorded 14 regular-season games with a save percentage of .930 or higher, ranking tied for seventh among NHL goalies during that period.
In his first appearance for the Avs, Blackwood stopped 37 of 39 shots, helping Colorado secure a 5-2 victory over the Nashville Predators.
Blackwood also shut down the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers on January 6. He delivered another outstanding performance by stopping 26 of 27 shots in that game, leading Colorado to a 3-1 victory.
"Blackwood recorded his first shutout in an Avs sweater when he made 19 saves against the St. Louis Blues on January 31st. He followed that up with a 23-save shutout against the Philadelphia Flyers on February 2nd in his next start. His third shutout in the Burgundy and Blue came on March 27th when he made 27 saves in a 4-0 victory versus the Los Angeles Kings." -Maier
As the 2025-26 season begins, Blackwood is starting the first year of a five-year contract and is just 48 games short of reaching 300 career appearances.
Colorado has finally found their star in goal, and their Stanley Cup window remains wide open heading into next season with him in the net.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 2 | 24 ANSWERS The Colorado Avalanche found their missing piece this past season and nobody saw it coming Should Mackenzie Blackwood be on Team Canada in next year's Winter Olympic Games? | ||
| yes | 19 | 79.2 % |
| no | 5 | 20.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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