Mackenzie Blackwood is poised to make his season debut for the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday, March 23, 2024, during a matchup against the San Jose Sharks. The 28-year-old goaltender is returning from a lower-body injury and will face his former team, where he played for parts of two seasons before being traded to the Avalanche on December 9, 2024.
In his career against the Sharks, Blackwood boasts a record of 4-1-0, with a goals-against average of 2.21 and an impressive save percentage of .930. His return comes at a crucial time for the Avalanche, who recently secured a 4-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights, marking their third win in a row after an earlier stretch of four games without a win (0-2-2).
Cale Makar and Martin Necas played pivotal roles in the recent triumph. Makar contributed with a goal and an assist, while Necas led the team with one goal and two assists. Notably, Necas signed an eight-year contract extension reportedly worth $11.5 million annually just days before the game.
Sharks Seek Continuity After Recent Win
The Sharks enter Saturday’s game looking for their first consecutive wins since late March 2023. They recently defeated the New Jersey Devils 5-2, with goals from Alexander Wennberg, Philipp Kurashev, William Eklund, Will Smith, and Tyler Toffoli. Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic made 29 saves in the victory, while Timothy Liljegren recorded two assists.
San Jose’s head coach, Ryan Warsofsky, emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum. “Just compete and just play. Get to our game. I liked our start again. We did some really good things,” he noted. The Sharks have struggled at home earlier this season, achieving a record of 1-3-2 before securing their first win at home against the Devils.
Injury Updates and Rookie Developments
The Sharks will have to navigate the game without forward Ryan Reaves, who sustained a lower-body injury during the Devils match and did not return. Additionally, rookie defenseman Sam Dickinson, who was selected 11th overall in the 2024 draft, is in a critical phase of his season. After playing in nine games, he needs to remain on the roster for the entire season if he participates in a tenth game.
Warsofsky stated, “We’re taking this thing day by day, game by game, week by week,” regarding Dickinson’s status. The young defenseman expressed his excitement about the opportunity, saying, “Just to get a taste of it now is pretty surreal. The opportunity to stay here for the year is potentially right around the corner, and it’s everything that I’ve worked for.”
As both teams prepare for this important matchup, the Avalanche will look to build on their recent success, while the Sharks aim to find consistency and momentum.
