Mackenzie Blackwood News

Blackwood has not played a game since January 19th but was back on the ice for Monday's practice after being activated from the COVID-19 reserve list. Head coach Lindy Ruff would not say if Blackwood would start in their first game back, so monitor his status during Tuesday's morning skate.

Blackwood was outstanding in the Devils’ season opener, stopping 35 of the 37 shots that he faced in the shootout loss to the Bruins. Boston dominated the game but Blackwood stood tall and kept the Devils alive. He will likely be under siege again this afternoon in the rematch.

Blackwood came into 2021 expecting to split time with Corey Crawford but could become a workhorse after Crawford retired prior to the start of the season. Blackwood performed well in 2020, going 22-14-8 with a 2.77 GAA and .915 SV%. He enters the season with a career .916 SV% in 70 appearances, so he should make for a low-end No.2/high-end No.3 fantasy netminder but draws a tough matchup vs. the Bruins on opening night.

Blackwood allowed four goals on 35 shots in the Devils win in New York on Saturday. Blackwood is now an impressive 7-1-1 while posting a 1.76 GAA, .953 SV% and two shutouts in his last nine starts. Tonight he faces the Penguins for the third time this season--he is 1-1-0 while giving up five goals on 75 shots (.933 SV%) in the first two meetings of the season.