Colorado Avalanche Player Grades: MacKenzie Blackwood provides hope for future in goal

MacKenzie Blackwood was acquired mid-season by the Colorado Avalanche in a trade from the Sharks with the intention of solidifying the goaltending position that had been a thorn in the side of the team through the early part of the season.

With Blackwood’s arrival, the team went on a run of quality play, finishing in third in the division and bowing out early in the playoffs, much to the dismay of Avalanche faithful.

The Thunder Bay, Ontario native was dealt for on December 9, 2024 and immediately made an impact in net. He and backup Scott Wedgewood, also acquired in a trade this past season, became a quality tandem and provided what the Avalanche needed to be more consistent.

In 37 games wearing an Avalanche sweater, Blackwood went 22-12-3, with a .913 save percentage and a stellar 2.33 goals against average. He posted three shutouts and a goals saved above average of 12.7- the second highest of his career.

The 6’4” Blackwood had 24 quality starts (a save percentage above 88.5% with 20 or fewer shots against) as well as only three “really bad starts,” or starts with a save percentage below 85%.

Without Blackwood’s command of the crease, the Avalanche would not have gotten as far as they did. His goalie point share (number of points contributed by a player due to his play in goal) was 7.2 while he was a member of the Avalanche. They were a wildcard team prior to his arrival and solidified their playoff positioning with him on the roster.

Once the playoffs began, Blackwood’s play took on a significantly different tone. This year’s first round was MacKenzie’s first on the chase for the cup, and it’s clear he was not yet acclimated to the different style of play during the second season.

He finished 3-4 across seven games, with a .892 save percentage and a 2.71 goals against average. He posted one shutout. Blackwood had 3 quality starts out of 7 games for a .429 quality start percentage- far lower than the 66% rate during the regular season.

Blackwood had three “really bad starts” in seven games in the playoffs, posting a .722 save percentage in two periods in Game 5, followed up by a .846 in a Game 6 win. In the decisive Game 7, Blackwood posted a .833 save percentage and the Avalanche bowed out early. Those three really bad starts across seven games matched his three really bad starts across 37 regular season games.

The entire team wasn’t good enough to get past the Stars in the series. It’s certainly not entirely on Blackwood. Avs nation has to hope that this series illustrated to Blackwood that playoff hockey is a different level than the regular season, and he needs to bring his A game every night to be successful.

Blackwood’s season can’t be defined by a lack of success in the playoffs. Were it not for his play during the regular season, the team may not have even had a chance to get into those playoffs. He’s got some improvements to be made, but the future is bright in goal for the burgundy and blue.