It’s no secret the Avalanche had a goaltending problem starting this season. In fact, the goaltending held them back. It was clear to everyone that consider themselves members of Avalanche nation.
Sure, reporters spoke about it, columnists wrote about it, but Avs nation wasn’t sure how the players themselves felt on this issue. It appears that question has been answered, as seen in an interview with Nathan MacKinnon from January 6th.
MacKinnon spoke with beat reporters and when asked a question about the goaltending tandem, he talked about the saves they’re providing for the team and how it’s helped them have a chance in every game.
🗣️ Nathan MacKinnon
— Guerilla Sports (@guerillasports_) January 6, 2025
"I thought we were playing pretty good all season, and now we're just getting a lot of saves. [Blackwood] is so big in there, and every game is ours for the taking with him in net."#GoAvsGo | #TimeToHunt | @gs_off_ice
Powered by: Landmark Lincoln pic.twitter.com/XyRylZWbjY
As MacKinnon is the de facto team leader, with Gabriel Landeskog being out for so long, this is big news. He speaks for the entire team here, and he’s giving his goaltending a big vote of confidence.
He also took a shot at the previous goaltending regime by saying the Avalanche are getting more saves now. It’s clear the players were frustrated with the lack of execution from the goaltending position earlier this season.
Although this quote wasn’t meant to stir drama, it’s likely the previous goaltending drama is long out of the minds of the burgundy and blue. These new netminders, “The Forest,” as we here at MHS will affectionately call the pairing, have been nothing short of excellent and the Avalanche as a team have responded.
Since November 30th of this year, when Scott Wedgewood was acquired, the Avalanche have a record of 11-4-1, good for 23 points. This stellar run has helped them into a tie for third place in the division with the Stars only leading by percentage points. The Avs are 7-2-1 in their last ten games.
Unfortunately, Colorado has not gained a ton of ground in the division—it speaks to how good the hockey in the Central division is.
On November 30, the Avalanche had a -12 goal differential. As of January 6, they now have a +7 goal differential. That’s a massive change in such a short amount of time. It’s clear the goaltending issue has been fixed.
Mackenzie Blackwood has been especially good in net for Colorado. The Thunder Bay, Ontario native is 6-1-1 in the burgundy and blue with a .935 save percentage and a 1.78 goals-against average. Those type numbers will have him in Vezina conversation as the league’s top goaltender.
It’s clear the Colorado brass is impressed with Blackwood. They’ve already signed him to a five-year extension.
The Avalanche are a team that is built to win now. The goaltending was holding them back from reaching their full potential. In fact, it’s been a thorn in their side for several years now. With “the Forest” manning the crease for the foreseeable future, the Avalanche have a backstop they can trust.