One Discouraging, Two Encouraging Mackenzie Blackwood Stats

Anybody can see that Mackenzie Blackwood’s Save % is trending down.

In his first two seasons, highlighted by a sixth-place finish for the Calder Trophy in 2019-20, the San Jose Sharks’ new goalie sported a .918 and .915. It dropped to .902 in 2020-21. Then the last two years, it’s been .892 and .893.

But what’s not so obvious? The numbers behind the numbers, two positive, one negative.

An Underrated Season?

Let’s start with the positive, because there’s been so much negativity surrounding Blackwood over the last two seasons.

The would-be New Jersey Devils starter has only played 47 games in that time period, missing significant stretches because of heel surgery, a sprained MCL, and a groin injury.

This led to the Devils dealing Blackwood to the San Jose Sharks for just a 2023 sixth-round pick.

But before that?

Of course, Blackwood’s reputation was made with a strong first two years. But underrated? Blackwood’s 2020-21 and his pedestrian-looking .902 Save %.

Read the Full Article at NBC Sports Bay Area