Deen’s Daily: Blackwood’s First Month; How is Montreal Doing this?; Marchand is Not Happy

It’s already been a month with Mackenzie Blackwood in Colorado. How in the world are the Montreal Canadiens doing what they’re doing? The Red Wings are also benefitting from the new coach bump and the Bruins have zero time for a radio host.

All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — January 11.

Colorado Hockey Now

The massive 6-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Thursday capped off a successful first month with Blackwood as the Avs’ new starter. He was acquired on Dec. 9 but didn’t play his first game until Dec. 14. In the 28 days since, Blackwood has gone 8-1-1, giving up just 15 goals, has a shiny .940 save percentage, and a new five-year contract extension.

Once again, Colorado’s new netminder was the highlight of my latest 10 Observations piece.

Colleen Flynn also checked in on the Avs at the halfway mark before they went out on the road. Catch her paywall story here, with a thorough recap of the first half of Colorado’s season, complete with insights from inside the locker room. Use code Deen10 for three free months of an annual subscription.

Catch the latest episode of Rinskide with Aarif Deen Podcast — Definitive Win Against Minnesota | January 10, 2025

Around the NHL

Montreal Hockey Now: How in the world are the Habs doing this? Less than two months ago, I had a conversation with someone about the Habs and it felt almost like the franchise was hopeless. Patrik Laine hadn’t made his debut yet, Martin St. Louis was on the hot seat, and nothing seemed to be going right. Now, they’re holding the Eastern Conference’s best team, the Washington Capitals, to 17 shots on goal and defeating them in OT. Again, with Jakub Dobes in goal.

Detroit Hockey Now: Another team in the Atlantic Division is climbing up the standings. The Red Wings did what the Avalanche couldn’t do earlier in the week — they beat the struggling Chicago Blackhawks. Remember how Patrick Kane was having a brutal start to the season? He’s got 11 points in his last six games — all wins for Todd McLellan’s group.

Boston Hockey Now: Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak have zero time for a local radio host who reported what they’re both calling a false rumor about them having issues in the locker room. Marchand gave a legendary interview about it before doubling down with an Instagram post.

Brad Marchand remains displeased with the report he already forcefully refuted to the Boston media. From his IG. pic.twitter.com/q50YIewEDA

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) January 11, 2025