Mackenzie Blackwood was very straightforward about being removed from the playoffs.
“It’s really tough to not play for a while and then jump into such a big game. I just thought, ‘Forget it’ and I tried to do my best and give my team the best shot at winning, and just keep fighting. ” – Mackenzie Blackwood
This quote quickly spread on social media. People reacted right away.
The first part of what he said shows regular frustration. Most players feel this way after they lose badly. But it’s the second part that has people curious.
“Losing like that” is the part that makes people think. Was Blackwood referring to injuries to players like MacKinnon, Makar, and Necas that hit at the worst moment? Was he mentioning bad calls by the referees against Vegas? Or was he criticizing how hard his teammates played during the four games?
Only he can really explain what he meant. That unclear part is what gets people talking.
How the Avalanche dealt with a surprising sweep
The Avalanche ended the season on top with a record of 55 wins, 16 losses, and 11 ties, totaling 121 points and a goal difference of plus-99. They were the best team in the regular season but got eliminated from the conference finals by a Vegas team that had 26 fewer points.
Blackwood was the main goalie for most of the regular season, playing in 38 games and winning 20 of them, with a save percentage of 0.903. He earned his spot while having a $5.25 million salary cap hit.
However, his playoff stats tell a different story. In 3 games, he had a save percentage of 0.872. He was taken out of games and had to sit out for long periods of time. There was a debate about whether Colorado needed a new goalie or not.
What will GM Chris MacFarland do about the goalie situation next season? That’s a serious question for the off-season, not just a quick opinion. Scott Wedgewood is under contract, but he is not someone who can start 60 games.
Honestly, this quote after the game can be interpreted in three different ways. It shows frustration from the hot mic. It hints at calling someone out. It also suggests he blames himself. Choose the interpretation that matches your perspective and go with that.
Jared Bednar helped three of his main players deal with injuries that likely shouldn’t have let them play at all. Nathan MacKinnon was limping. Cale Makar was pushing through. Martin Necas left a game but returned. None of them played like they usually do.
The Avalanche team is going to lose some players this summer. That’s how it goes after a disappointing exit from the playoffs. The changes in the locker room are beginning now.
Blackwood’s words linger in the atmosphere. Nobody from the team will explain them openly. Whatever he meant, the players on the Avalanche understood it very well.
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