The New Jersey Devils were able to score three goals in their 3-0 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. It was an outstanding effort from everyone involved. They needed this win to snap a four-game losing streak that had everyone worried. Now, the hope is that they can turn this into a winning streak now.
New Jersey won the game because they got help from all of the players. The defense played well, the forwards played well, and the special teams came up big. Of course, they also saw Mackenzie Blackwood have an outstanding game to earn his second shutout of the season. He is now 8-0-2 in his career against Philly.
Blackwood made 25 saves on 25 shots in the win and improved his record to 5-3-3. He now has a 2.81 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage. He has been good since he returned from the heel injury that forced him to miss the beginning of the season. He needs his team to play well in front of him as every goalie does but he gives them a chance to win every game.
The two greatest goaltenders in the history of the New Jersey Devils are Martin Brodeur and Cory Schneider. If Blackwood can continue being that next elite guy, New Jersey will have been set in the net for going on four decades now. So far so good.
His 8th career shutout tied him with Johan Hedberg. He should have no problem catching Schneider’s 17 shutouts but Brodeur’s 124 might be tough. Either way, it is good to know that their long-term plan in goal is in place. This season is his chance to prove it once again so that there is no doubt whatsoever.
Mackenzie Blackwood was amazing for the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday.
There is also a little more on the line for Blackwood this year. He is on the very short list of goaltenders that have a chance to be selected for Team Canada in the 2022 Winter Olympic Games. If he continues to play well with the New Jersey Devils, don’t be at all surprised if he makes it. However, if the Devils let him down, don’t be surprised if he is snubbed.
The New Jersey Devils really need Mackenzie Blackwood. As important as guys like Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes, and Dawson Mercer are going forward, winning is impossible without outstanding goaltending. Blackwood has the skills to be better than outstanding.
In the near future, it would be nice to see Jonathan Bernier help the Devils use Blackwood the right way. He can’t be starting every single game if they expect to get the most out of him. Bernier needs to be better. They should each get a start with the back-to-back on Friday and Saturday night. Hopefully, Blackwood can play as well as he did in this one.