Blackwood impressed in first NHL start
It's been quite a week for the 22-year-old who made 36 saves in his first NHL start Thursday night
by Caela McLoughlin @NJDevils / newjerseydevils.com
On Monday, December 17, Mackenzie Blackwood got called up to New Jersey from Binghamton, where he's played 15 games so far this season. Although the rookie traveled as the third goaltender with the team during their Global Series trip in October, this was the first time in his professional hockey career he's gotten a taste of the big club.
The netminder made his debut Tuesday night when the Devils hosted Toronto, as he replaced Keith Kinkaid in net for the final 20 minutes of play.
Just two days later, it was announced that the 22-year-old would make his first NHL start when the Devils faced off against the Blue Jackets in Columbus Thursday night.
After leading the team out for warm-ups, the netminder was all business preparing for the game.
Just a minute after puck drop, Blackwood impressed on his first save of the game.
By the end of the first period, the rookie faced 17 shots.
Not to mention, facing six of those shots in a 30-second span at the end of the period while the Devils were killing off a penalty.
Blackwood went on to face 17 shots in the second period and made some very impressive saves in the final frame.
At the end of the night, he faced 38 shots, stopping 36 of them. Although he didn't record his first NHL win on the night, he felt good about his first start. Here's what he had to say at the end of the night:
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