New Jersey Devils: 5 Bold Statistical Predictions For 2021-22 Season

2. Mackenzie Blackwood .920+ save percentage

Mackenzie Blackwood is a player who desperately needs a bounce-back season. Literally, every offseason storyline about him is not good. The vaccine stuff is obvious, and the way he’s reacted to it is even worse, but that’s not the only thing surrounding him. Before the vaccine stuff came out, Blackwood was considered a bubble player for Team Canada. They need a goalie desperately, but more people seem to believe Carter Hart has a better chance of a bounce-back than Blackwood.

However, this is the first time that Blackwood has an actually good defense in front of him. They’ve always been statistically bad, and there are multiple times where he was left out to dry. Last season, Blackwood was also part of the problem. After he was diagnosed with COVID-19, he fell off the face of the Earth. That won’t happen this season.

Blackwood is going to face much fewer high-danger shots with this defense. He won’t see as many players out of position. There is added youth and speed on the roster, so players can make their way back to stop two-on-ones or breakaway chances. This will lead to more easy saves and a much better save percentage. He will break a .920 save percentage for the first time in his career.