Mackenzie Blackwood is expected to make his season debut for the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday when the team faces off against the San Jose Sharks. The 28-year-old goaltender is returning from a lower-body injury and previously played for the Sharks before being traded to Colorado on December 9, 2024. In his career, Blackwood holds a record of 4-1-0 against San Jose, with a notable 2.21 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage.
The Avalanche are coming off a solid performance, having secured a 4-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights in Las Vegas, which improved their road record to 4-1-2 this season. Blackwood served as the backup to Scott Wedgewood during that game. Martin Necas led Colorado’s scoring effort with one goal and two assists, while Cale Makar contributed with a goal and an assist. The Avalanche have now won back-to-back games after struggling through a four-game winless streak (0-2-2).
Game Preview: Avalanche vs. Sharks
The upcoming match will be the first of three meetings between the Avalanche and Sharks this season. Last season, Colorado triumphed in all three matchups, outscoring San Jose 15-6. The Sharks are seeking their first back-to-back wins since late March, having recently defeated the New Jersey Devils 5-2 on Thursday night. In that game, Alexander Wennberg and Philipp Kurashev each recorded a goal and an assist, contributing to a commanding first-period lead.
San Jose’s coach, Ryan Warsofsky, noted the team’s progress, stating, “Just compete and just play. Get to our game. I liked our start again. We did some really good things.” The Sharks celebrated their first home victory of the season with a record of 1-3-2 thus far. Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic was instrumental in the win, making 29 saves.
The Sharks will likely be without forward Ryan Reaves, who left Thursday’s game due to a lower-body injury. Meanwhile, rookie defenseman Sam Dickinson is expected to be in the lineup after logging 14:23 of ice time against the Devils. Dickinson, who was drafted 11th overall in the 2024 draft, is on the verge of securing a full-time position with the team if he plays in his 10th game.
Looking Ahead
As the matchup approaches, both teams are eager to build on their recent performances. Colorado aims to continue their winning momentum, while San Jose seeks to capitalize on their recent success. The Avalanche’s coach, Jared Bednar, expressed satisfaction with his team’s handling of the game against Vegas, emphasizing the importance of an early lead. “I thought we handled ourselves pretty good,” he remarked.
The excitement builds as fans anticipate Saturday’s showdown, where the stakes are high for both teams in their pursuit of success this season. Blackwood’s return adds an intriguing layer to the contest, as he looks to make a significant impact against his former club.
