Sharks coach: Blackwood 'outstanding' in 44-save shutout vs. Devils

Mackenzie Blackwood put the San Jose Sharks on his back Sunday, stopping all 44 shots he faced in a 1-0 victory against the New Jersey Devils.

Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky lauded his goaltender's strong outing.

"(Blackwood) was outstanding, probably the best I've seen him play," Warsofsky said postgame. "You could tell he was dialed in, focused, tracking pucks really well."

The victory was extra sweet for Blackwood, who spent the first five years of his career in New Jersey before he was traded to San Jose in 2023.

"It's pretty cool for me," Blackwood said of blanking his former club. "I spent a lot of time here (in New Jersey), I have good relationships with a lot of the guys over in that room."

Teammate Fabian Zetterlund called Blackwood the best goalie in the NHL right now, prompting a funny response by the netminder.

Blackwood's 44 saves were the second most in a shutout in Sharks franchise history, trailing Troy Grosenick's 45 back in 2014.

The 27-year-old now owns a .910 save percentage in nine games this season, a mark that ranks tied for second among Canadian netminders with at least seven starts. Blackwood's play so far this season could earn him some consideration for the country's wide-open goaltending competition for the 4 Nations Face-Off.