SAN JOSE — Coach Ryan Warsofsky was succinct when asked who his starting goaltender would be on opening night against the St. Louis Blues.
“Blacky will start tomorrow,” Warsofsky said.
Mackenzie Blackwood, a six-year NHL veteran, will start for the Sharks in the season opener on Thursday night. Blackwood battled with Vitek Vanecek, a summer acquisition, throughout training camp. Blackwood’s experience advantage played a role in his selection for the opener.
“He’s a guy who’s obviously been here,” Warsofsky said of Blackwood, who started 41 games with the Sharks last season. “Had a really good camp, good summer. Both guys competed for that first game, I’d say, but we thought Blacky gave us the best chance.”
San Jose Sharks goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood (29) blocks a shot against the Utah Hockey Club in the second period at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
In the near future, top goalie prospect Yaroslav Askarov could factor in to the Sharks’ goaltending plans. But that time has not yet arrived.
Askarov sustained a lower-body injury prior to training camp and did not practice with San Jose or participate in a preseason game. Thus, it’s Blackwood’s show to start off the season.
Thursday night will mark the fourth time Blackwood has started his team’s opening night game.
“I feel good,” Blackwood told Bay Area News Group on Tuesday. “I’m happy with where things are today. Every day you work on something else. Every day you pick something to focus in on and try and do the best you can at keeping that sharp.
San Jose Sharks goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood (29) stares down the ice during a game against the Minnesota Wild’s in the second period at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
“As you get older and your game gets better, it’s more little details here, sharpening up this or finding this or that. So it’s not big changes, it’s always little details. Timing and reads and stuff like that.”
Blackwood noted that the Sharks’ momentum has surged since the selection of No. 1 overall pick Macklin Celebrini after San Jose finished the 2023-24 season in last place. He anticipates feeling a heightened level of energy at SAP Center on Thursday night.
“There’s a lot of excitement with the direction of the team and where they’re taking this organization,” Blackwood said. “You can feel changes happening and a culture shift. But everything comes down to the players in the room, and they want to be better. They want to take the next step. It doesn’t happen overnight, but (it will) as long as everyone comes in every day, pulls the rope a little bit.”
Celebrini keeps it simple ahead of first NHL game
San Jose Sharks’ Macklin Celebrini (71) waits for a face-off against the Vegas Golden Knights in the first period of their preseason game at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News …read more
Source:: The Mercury News – Entertainment
