Blackwood served as the backup last night and will tend the twine on Tuesday in the back end of a back-to-back. The Sharks are riding a rare two-game winning streak, but are sizeable +291 home underdogs against a New York Rangers team that defeated the Anaheim Ducks 5-2 in their last contest. Blackwood has saved 55 of the last 59 shots he faced (.932 SV%) over his last two games (1-0-1).
Blackwood helped the Sharks snap a 12-game losing skid last week when he saved 33 of 35 shots (.943 SV%) in a 3-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens but followed that up by allowing five goals on 41 shots (.878 SV%) in a 5-4 loss to the Ottawa Senators. The Sharks, on a fresh two-game losing streak, are +131 road underdogs against a Chicago Blackhawks club that has lost three straight, being outscored 7-3.
Blackwood was serviceable entering the Sharks' game against the Toronto Maple Leafs in relief on Tuesday, saving 22 of 25 shots (.880 SV%), but with the outcome already predetermined, there was very little he could do to help his squad avoid a defeating 7-1 fate. The Sharks have lost 12 straight (0-12-0), largely due to the Sharks' inability to score as they have been outscored 31-8 in their last seven games. That said, Blackwood hasn't been horrible lately, posting a .898 SV% in his last three games (0-2-0).
Blackwood will return to the Sharks' crease on Thursday for the first time since December 23rd. Blackwood was sidelined for two games with an illness, though he was healthy enough to serve as Kaapo Kahkonen's backup for each of the last two games. Blackwood had a start to forget his last time out, surrendering six goals on 25 shots as the Sharks fell to the Canucks by a score of 7-4. His record now sits at 4-14-12 on the season to go along with an .889 SV% and a 3.92 GAA. Things won't get any easier for him on Thursday with the Sharks currently being heavy home underdogs at +225 to the Jets.
Magnus Chrona was recalled Wednesday from the San Jose Barracuda (AHL) which implies Mackenzie Blackwood will be out vs. Los Angeles after it was announced he was under the weather Wednesday. The 27-year-old netminder is not expected to be out long as he did travel with the team. He has struggled in his first season in San Jose, with his 4-14-2 record, 3.92 GAA and .889 SV%.
Blackwood was the undisputed starter for the Sharks earlier this season but as the quality of his play has tapered off, he has found himself in an equal timeshare with Kaapo Kahkonen. Blackwood has allowed four or more goals in three of his last four games (1-2-0), posting an uncharacteristically low .868 SV%, considering he was sporting a .903 SV% in the 17 games leading up to that. The Sharks are +135 home underdogs on Thursday against an Arizona Coyotes team riding a three-game winning streak, outscoring their opposition 7-3.
Blackwood has struggled his last two games, allowing 10 goals on 56 shots (.821 SV%), as the Sharks have opted to rotate between him and Kaapo Kahkonen lately. That said, Blackwood will return to the Sharks' net on Tuesday as they are +191 home underdogs against a Winnipeg Jets team that will be without their leading scorer, Kyle Connor. In addition, Blackwood has been significantly better on home ice this season, posting a 3.32 GAA and .908 SV% in nine games (3-3-2).
Blackwood has struggled his last two games, allowing 10 goals on 56 shots (.821 SV%), as the Sharks have opted to rotate between him and Kaapo Kahkonen lately. That said, Blackwood will likely return to the Sharks' net on Tuesday as they are +191 home underdogs against a Winnipeg Jets team that will be without their leading scorer, Kyle Connor. In addition, Blackwood has been significantly better on home ice this season, posting a 3.32 GAA and .908 SV% in nine games (3-3-2).
Blackwood allowed six goals on 36 shots (.833 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 6-5 loss to the New York Rangers, an outlier in a mostly positive stretch of play for the Sharks Netminder. In his three games before (1-1-1), Blackwood allowed only six total goals and posted a .937 SV%. That said, the Sharks are considerable +251 road underdogs against a Detroit Red Wings team that ranks third-best in the league offensively (3.79 GF / GP) and will welcome Patrick Kane to the lineup for his debut with the team.
Blackwood allowed six goals on 36 shots (.833 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 6-5 loss to the New York Rangers, an outlier in a mostly positive stretch of play for the Sharks Netminder. In his three games before (1-1-1), Blackwood allowed only six total goals and posted a .937 SV%. That said, the Sharks are considerable +251 road underdogs against a Detroit Red Wings team that ranks third-best in the league offensively (3.79 GF / GP) and will welcome Patrick Kane to the lineup for his debut with the team.
Blackwood will get the nod on Sunday after Kaapo Kahkonen got the start in Friday's 6-3 victory over the Devils. Blackwood allowed three goals on 37 shots but a familiar lack of goal support saddled him with the loss in Thursday's 3-0 defeat to the Bruins. Blackwood owns a .903 SV% on the season and recently took home the Sharks' player of the month award for November. He will have his hands full once again on Sunday with the Sharks being +310 underdogs in New York.
Blackwood is expected to get the nod on Sunday after Kaapo Kahkonen got the start in Friday's 6-3 victory over the Devils. Blackwood allowed three goals on 37 shots but a familiar lack of goal support saddled him with the loss in Thursday's 3-0 defeat to the Bruins. Blackwood owns a .903 SV% on the season and recently took him the Sharks' player of the month award for November. He will have his hands full once again on Sunday with the Sharks being +310 underdogs in New York.
Don't look now, but Blackwood and the last-place San Jose Sharks are playing and competing in hockey games. The Sharks have won three of their last six (3-3-0), impressive totals considering the team's 11-game losing streak to start the season. The Sharks' recent uptick in play is due in part to Blackwood, who has been exceptional lately, recording a .924 SV% in his last eight appearances (3-3-1). That said, the Sharks are massive +429 road underdogs against a Boston Bruins team that has lost three straight (0-3-0) but defeated the Sharks 3-1 on October 19th.
Don't look now, but Blackwood and the last-place San Jose Sharks are playing and competing in hockey games. The Sharks have won three of their last six (3-3-0), impressive totals considering the team's 11-game losing streak to start the season. The Sharks' recent uptick in play is due in part to Blackwood, who has been exceptional lately, recording a .924 SV% in his last eight appearances (3-3-1). That said, the Sharks are massive +429 road underdogs against a Boston Bruins team that has lost three straight (0-3-0) but defeated the Sharks 3-1 on October 19th.
Blackwood did not play in the Sharks' 4-3 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday but will return to the crease on Monday when they take on the Washington Capitals. Blackwood has played exceptionally for the last-place Sharks over his last seven games (2-3-1), recording an impressive .917 SV%. The Sharks are +188 home underdogs against a Capitals team coming off a 5-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Friday. Blackwood was heroic in a losing effort against the Capitals on October 29th, saving 39 of 41 shots (.951 SV%) in a 3-1 loss.
