Avalanche News
Blackwood Preparing for Likely First Start This Weekend: ‘I Feel Great Now, It’s Just Full Steam Ahead’
He missed training camp, preseason, and the first 10 games
Mackenzie Blackwood was the backup when the Avalanche defeated New Jersey 8-4 at Ball Arena on Tuesday. It was his first healthy appearance since last season’s playoffs.
Heading into a back-to-back, the Avs’ usual starter is likely going to make his first start of the season either Friday or Saturday.
“I didn’t want to rush myself back, I know they did a great job of managing it and making sure everything was good to go,” Blackwood told reporters on Thursday. “I feel great now, it’s just full steam ahead.”
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Before Tuesday, Blackwood was unavailable since training camp began. He had a lingering injury issue that he and the team decided was best to take care of at the start of the season rather than letting it be a bother later.
Without Blackwood, Colorado relied on backup Scott Wedgewood to start in 10 of 11 games. Wedgewood was 6-1-2 in those games and was pulled once. Trent Miner made a relief appearance in that contest and started one other game.
Miner has since cleared waivers and was reassigned to the AHL’s Colorado Eagles.
“Scottie’s played so darn good, it’s been a pleasure to watch,” Blackwood said. “I know the team’s rallied around him.
“It puts less pressure on me because I know the team is in good hands with him. Having him play the way he has, it’s made it a lot easier for me to take my time and make sure I’m good to go before I come back.”
Blackwood is in the first of a five-year contract extension that he signed 10 months ago. His $5.25 million AAV makes him one of the more affordable starting goalies in the league.
Blackwood was excellent upon arriving to Colorado, going 22-12-3 with a .913 save percentage and three shutouts.
It might take time for him to get his game completely back, but the team knows what it has in him.
“It’s tough when you miss training camp and preseason games,” Blackwood said. “I’m happy with the way my body is now. Everything’s great.”
The Avalanche are in Vegas on Friday and San Jose on Saturday. Both are an early 2 p.m. MT puck drop, meaning Colorado won’t have a morning skate for either game.
What a luxury to have Scottie’s skills to ease Mackenzie back in. I hope the team is patient as they ramp up Mackenzie’s workload, because the team is thriving and ramping him up too quickly would be such a shame.
Put Blackwood against the sharks
I don’t know if the team and player could agree on a number, but I’d love to see Wedgewood extended a couple seasons. Got to look at Olofsson pretty soon, too, if we want to keep him around past this season.
Please tell me the Vegas game is an early game because of a facility issue and not because it is Halloween.
Never mind. Apparently it’s Nevada Day.