Mackenzie Blackwood will start for the Colorado Avalanche against the San Jose Sharks.

It is a revenge game for the San Jose Sharks and Colorado Avalanche at the SAP Center tonight, as Mackenzie Blackwood and Alexandar Georgiev are the projected starting goalies. 

"[I] enjoyed being here [with] all the guys. It was a good time. [I made a] lot of friendships and [will] always remember that," Blackwood said. "But you know, [it is a] good opportunity here, and I'm excited to be part of this team."

Blackwood has played two games for the Avalanche and is 1-1. He gave up two goals in each game, including a 37-save winning performance against the Nashville Predators in his debut.

The Sharks acquired Blackwood in the Summer of 2023 from the New Jersey Devils. San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier had been an assistant coach during part of Blackwood's time with the Devils, and that belief never left Grier after he left the team.

"It was a great opportunity. Obviously, I owe Grier a lot of credit for that. He was with me in New Jersey, and I went through a lot of injury troubles," Blackwood said. "When I got healthy, he believed in me, brought me in, and gave me a chance to play. I got myself turned around and got my game back on track. He's a big part of giving me the opportunity to do so."

In his final season with the Devils, 22-23, Blackwood played 22 games and had a 3.20 GAA and a .893 save percentage. In just over a season with the Sharks, he played 63 games and finished his San Jose career with a .902 save percentage. In 21 combined games between the Sharks and Avalanche, Blackwood has a .913 save percentage and is ranked 10th in the NHL this season.

Blackwood has a better chance to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs with the Colorado Avalanche but said the San Jose Sharks aren't far away. 

"Just look at the difference from last year to this year. They're a good young team who is building in the right direction," Blackwood said. "I think in a couple of years, they're going to be trying to make a push for everything. I think they're not too far away, a couple of years, and they'll be right there with the best of them."

Make sure you bookmark THN's San Jose Sharks site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

Sharks Scratching Timothy Liljegren Against Avalanche

Sharks' Yaroslav Askarov Ready To Make A Statement During Extended NHL Stint

Sharks' Vitek Vanecek To Miss Time With Upper-Body Injury; Recall Top Goalie Prospect

Sharks Backup Goalie Injured By Errant Puck; Leaves Game Against Jets

Sharks Shake Up Line Combinations For Game Against Jets

• undefined