Blackwood Shines, But Avalanche Offense Comes Up Empty
Mackenzie Blackwood is doing everything you could ask of a starting goaltender right now - except score goals himself. The Avalanche netminder has allowed just five goals over his last four starts, including two games against the Red Wings where he gave up a single tally across both matchups.
The problem? Colorado only managed to win one of those games.
Monday night marked the first time the Avalanche were shut out this season, and it couldn’t have come at a worse time. Blackwood delivered another standout performance, but the offense offered no support. It’s been a recurring theme lately: elite goaltending, minimal scoring, and a team that’s suddenly looking for answers heading into the Olympic break.
Here are ten key takeaways from the Avs’ recent stretch:
1. Blackwood’s Bounce-Back
Just a couple of weeks ago, Blackwood was under the microscope after a rough outing against the Flyers - six goals on 19 shots and a public call-out from head coach Jared Bednar. Since then, he’s flipped the script.
He’s locked in, composed, and giving the Avs a chance to win every night.
Bednar acknowledged the turnaround: “He’s stringing together some nice games here. Obviously, the Detroit game, Toronto, now this one… he’s giving us a chance to win every night right now.”
The team has leaned on him more, and Blackwood’s responded with poise and consistency.
2. A Solid Stat Line
Blackwood heads into the break with a 15-5-1 record and a .916 save percentage - numbers that speak to his resurgence. With a back-to-back looming, it’s likely Scott Wedgewood gets the nod next, giving Blackwood a well-earned breather.
3. From Shaky to Steady
After returning from an early-season injury, it took Blackwood a few games to find his rhythm. But once he did, he looked like the goalie Colorado hoped for - calm in the crease, tracking pucks well, and making timely saves.
If the Avalanche had offered even average offensive support in the last four games, Blackwood could easily be sitting on a 4-0 run.
4. Break Comes at the Right Time
The Olympic break couldn’t have arrived at a better moment. While many of the Avs’ stars will head overseas, the rest of the roster gets a much-needed reset.
The offense has gone cold, and this downtime could be the mental and physical reset they need before the final push.
5. Missing Key Pieces - and It Shows
The line of Nathan MacKinnon, Valeri Nichushkin, and Brock Nelson saw heavy usage, but the absence of Martin Necas and Gabe Landeskog is glaring. Ross Colton and Victor Olofsson, expected to carry more of the load, were largely invisible - neither cracked 14 minutes of ice time, with Colton logging just 12:45.
6. Depth Getting the Nod
Jack Drury, Parker Kelly, and Joel Kiviranta all logged more 5-on-5 minutes than Colton and Olofsson. That tells you everything about where the coaching staff believes the energy and execution are coming from right now.
The depth players are earning their shifts, while the middle-six wingers are getting edged out.
7. Two Players Who’ll Welcome the Break
Veteran Brent Burns could use the time to recharge - 20-plus years of NHL wear and tear adds up. Meanwhile, rookie Gavin Brindley has hit the wall a bit.
He brought a spark earlier in the season, but the grind of a full NHL schedule is catching up. A pause in the action might help him regain some of that early-season pop.
8. MacKinnon’s Off Night
MacKinnon had six giveaways in the loss - an uncharacteristic stat line for the Avalanche’s engine. He was trying to make things happen, but the execution wasn’t there.
Whether it was a lost handle or a forced pass, the puck just wasn’t cooperating.
9. Power Play Woes Continue
In Detroit, MacKinnon missed a wide-open net on the power play. Back in Denver, Nichushkin had a similar opportunity and fired it right into the goalie’s pads.
Colorado went 0-for-4 on the man advantage across the home-and-home - but it easily could’ve been two goals if they’d capitalized on those chances. The team’s power play has looked snakebitten lately, and confidence seems to be dipping.
The hope is that the Olympic break helps reset that unit.
10. Time to Reconsider the Taylor Makar Experiment
Taylor Makar’s stint with the big club may have run its course - for now. There’s potential there, no doubt.
But right now, he’s not ready for regular NHL minutes. The Colorado Eagles offer a better environment for him to develop without being thrown into the fire.
If Necas is ready to return Wednesday, Makar likely comes out of the lineup. Even if injuries force another call-up, there are at least two players in the AHL who could provide more immediate help.
The Avalanche are still very much in the mix, but this recent stretch has exposed some cracks in the foundation - namely, offensive depth and power play execution. The good news?
They’ve got elite goaltending and a break to regroup. If the offense can find its footing, Colorado could come out of the Olympic pause looking like a much more complete team.