Blackwood Has Spectacular First Stanley Cup Playoff Start

Mackenzie Blackwood shone in his Stanley Cup Playoff debut, besting the Dallas Stars 5-1 in Game 1. The 28-year-old goaltender stopped 23 of 24 shots on goal against a powerful offense. He played like a veteran postseason netminder in his first playoff game.

I spoke with the Avalanche starter before the team left for Dallas. With a few days off before starting the first round series, Blackwood was calm but anxious and excited to play.

Good & Bad: Blackwood Shines in Playoff Debut, Avalanche Take Game 1 in Dallas

“Not trying to change, but it’s a little bit more emotions, and it’s a little bit more you can feel the energy and stuff,” Blackwood said. “I don’t think I’m gonna have to try to get amped up for it, because I think it’s gonna happen naturally. Just going there, trying to play my game, and just trying to stay level and be calm through the whole thing.

The stakes are a little higher, but it’s the same game at the end of the day, so just go out there and try and be prepared with your game. Make sure everything’s in order and do the best you can.”

He made show-stopping saves under pressure, proving trustworthy in heightened battle. Dallas forward Roope Hintz was the only player to get a puck behind him, and he did so when Blackwood was without a stick.

“It doesn’t matter, Game 40 or Game 1 of the playoffs, he’s an amazing goalie. Have a lot of trust in him, obviously,” Nathan MacKinnon said. “He made some huge saves. It could have easily been 2-2, and all of a sudden it’s 5-1, so it’s a completely different game with his saves.”

"He made some huge saves. It could have easily been 2-2 and all of a sudden it's 5-1, so it's a completely different game with his saves."

Nathan MacKinnon on a big performance from Mackenzie Blackwood in Game 1 pic.twitter.com/vKLsfxGCpo

— DNVR Avalanche (@DNVR_Avalanche) April 20, 2025

After the game, Blackwood discussed what the experience was like for him. It was not ideal to start his first playoff game on the road, but that did not take away from his excitement.

“It was pretty special. I’ve been waiting to play in the playoffs for a long time and it was great to finally get my first one,” the Thunder Bay, Ontario native said.

“The way I approached the game today was the same, obviously a little bit more intensity, you could feel it around the rink. But you have to go do the same job. I don’t want to change things about my game. I know what I have to do to have success, so try to just approach it like a big game and go do the best I could.”

🗣️Mackenzie Blackwood & Devon Toews

Watch Blackwood & Toews' postgame interview following their win over Dallas in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs#GoAvsGo | @gs_off_ice pic.twitter.com/NqIFLxpBKl

— Guerilla Sports (@guerillasports_) April 20, 2025

Blackwood did not participate in the Avs’ optional practice on Sunday. Scott Wedgewood and Kevin Mandolese hit the ice with a handful of players, including MacKinnon, Brock Nelson, Cale Makar, Jonathan Drouin and Valeri Nichushkin. Blackwood’s absence is not an indication of whether or not he’ll start Game 2.