Mackenzie Blackwood News

With Vitek Vanecek sidelined due to injury, the Sharks recalled Yaroslav Askarov, but he will serve as the backup to Blackwood on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 27-year-old Blackwood has been solid between the pipes for the Sharks this season, posting a 2.98 GAA and .914 SV% through 11 games (3-5-3). The Sharks enter the action as +125 home underdogs against a Red Wings club outscored 10-5 in their previous two contests (0-2-0).

With Vitek Vanecek sidelined due to injury, the Sharks recalled Yaroslav Askarov, but he will likely serve as the backup to Blackwood on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 27-year-old Blackwood has been solid between the pipes for the Sharks this season, posting a 2.98 GAA and .914 SV% through 11 games (3-5-3). The Sharks enter the action as +129 home underdogs against a Red Wings club outscored 10-5 in their previous two contests (0-2-0).

The Sharks will turn to Blackwood between the pipes on Thursday against the New York Rangers. The 27-year-old Blackwood has won three of his last four outings (3-1-0) and is coming off unquestionably his best performance of the season, a 44-save shutout in a 1-0 win over his former team, the New Jersey Devils. That said, the Sharks enter the action on Thursday as enormous +359 road underdogs against the New York Rangers.

The Sharks will likely turn to Blackwood between the pipes on Thursday against the New York Rangers. The 27-year-old Blackwood has won three of his last four outings (3-1-0) and is coming off unquestionably his best performance of the season, a 44-save shutout in a 1-0 win over his former team, the New Jersey Devils. That said, the Sharks enter the action on Thursday as enormous +359 road underdogs against the New York Rangers.

Blackwood has not played the last two games for the Sharks but will return to the crease on Sunday in a matchup against his former team, the New Jersey Devils. In eight games this season (2-4-2), Blackwood has a 3.52 GAA and .894 SV%. The Sharks enter Sunday's contest as sizeable +299 road underdogs against the Devils.

After losing their first nine games to start the season (0-7-2), the Sharks are riding a two-game winning streak and will turn to Blackwood between the pipes on Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks. In his only win this season, Blackwood allowed four goals on 23 shots (.826 SV%), worsening his 3.89 GAA and .888 SV% in six games this season (1-3-2). The Sharks enter the action on Thursday as +138 home underdogs against a Blackhawks club with a 3-6-1 record.

The Sharks (0-7-2), still searching for their first victory, will turn to Blackwood between the pipes for the third time in the last four games. Despite failing to record a victory in five outings (0-3-2), Blackwood has been serviceable between the pipes, allowing three or fewer goals in three of his last four contests, and posting a .904 SV%. That said, the Sharks enter action on Monday as sizeable +226 road underdogs against a Utah Hockey Club that has lost three straight games.

For the first time this season, the Sharks will defer from their goalie rotation and turn to Blackwood for a second straight game. The Sharks continue to search for the first victory of the season (0-5-2) and will hope Blackwood can help them get there after an excellent performance in his last outing, saving 37 of 39 shots (.949 SV%) in a 3-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks. That said, the Sharks enter action on Thursday as significant +262 road underdogs against a Los Angeles Kings club looking to respond from a 6-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday.

The Sharks will continue their goalie rotation to start the season, turning to Blackwood between the pipes for the fourth time in seven games. In three games this season (0-1-2), the 27-year-old Blackwood has an ugly 4.88 GAA and .875 SV%. The Sharks are one of two teams without a win this season (0-4-2) and enter the action on Tuesday as +135 road underdogs against the Anaheim Ducks, who, despite a reasonable 2-2-1 record, are second-worst in the league offensively with only 12 goals scored.

The Sharks will continue their goalie rotation to start the season, turning to Blackwood between the pipes for the fourth time in seven games. In three games this season (0-1-2), the 27-year-old Blackwood has an ugly 4.88 GAA and .875 SV%. The Sharks are one of two teams without a win this season (0-4-2) and enter the action on Tuesday as +135 road underdogs against the Anaheim Ducks, who, despite a reasonable 2-2-1 record, are second-worst in the league offensively with only 12 goals scored.

The Sharks will continue their early-season goalie rotation and return to Blackwood between the pipes for the third time in their first five games. Blackwood was excellent in his last outing, despite a 3-2 losing effort in a shootout to the Dallas Stars, saving 36 of 38 shots (.947 SV%). The Sharks are one of three teams without a win this season (0-2-2) and enter Friday's contest as significant +317 road underdogs against the Winnipeg Jets, one of three clubs without a loss this season (3-0-0).

The Sharks, winless in their first two games (0-1-1), will turn to Blackwood between the pipes for the second time early in the season. Blackwood struggled in his first outing allowing five goals on 40 shots (.875 SV%) in a 5-4 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues. The 28-year-old Blackwood had a 3.45 GAA, .899 SV%, and two shutouts in 44 appearances for the Sharks last season (10-25-4). The Sharks enter action on Tuesday as sizeable +294 road underdogs against a Dallas Stars team that has outscored their opposition 9-3 so far this season (3-0-0).

The Sharks, winless in their first two games (0-1-1), will turn to Blackwood between the pipes for the second time early in the season. Blackwood struggled in his first outing allowing five goals on 40 shots (.875 SV%) in a 5-4 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues. The 28-year-old Blackwood had a 3.45 GAA, .899 SV%, and two shutouts in 44 appearances for the Sharks last season (10-25-4). The Sharks enter action on Tuesday as sizeable +294 road underdogs against a Dallas Stars team that has outscored their opposition 9-3 so far this season (3-0-0).

Yaroslav Askarov missed the entirety of training camp so he will begin the season with the San Jose Baracuda (AHL), leaving Blackwood and Vitek Vanecek to duel it out for the Sharks crease. Blackwood was serviceable last season, especially considering the Sharks ranked 31st offensively with 181 goals, posting a 3.45 GAA and .899 SV% in 44 games (10-25-4). After finishing dead last in the NHL last season, the Sharks should improve this season but still enter their opening night matchup as +140 home underdogs against the St. Louis Blues.

Blackwood concludes his first season with the Sharks, showcasing a 3.45 GAA and .899 SV% through 44 games (10-25-4). Georgi Romanov has been recalled from the San Jose Barracuda and will likely serve as the backup to Devin Cooley.