Blackwood impressed in first NHL start

On Monday, December 17, Mackenzie Blackwood got called up to New Jersey from Binghamton, where he's played 15 games so far this season. Although the rookie traveled as the third goaltender with the team during their Global Series trip in October, this was the first time in his professional hockey career he's gotten a taste of the big club.

Tweet from @NJDevils: Your 2018-19 New Jersey Devils. #DevilsGoAbroad | #NowWeRise | #NJDevils pic.twitter.com/4Zi3J14xsi
The netminder made his debut Tuesday night when the Devils hosted Toronto, as he replaced Keith Kinkaid in net for the final 20 minutes of play.
Tweet from @NJDevils: Looking good in your @NHL debut, Mac! #NJDevils pic.twitter.com/HGtb5IiMuL
Just two days later, it was announced that the 22-year-old would make his first NHL start when the Devils faced off against the Blue Jackets in Columbus Thursday night.

After leading the team out for warm-ups, the netminder was all business preparing for the game.
Tweet from @NJDevils: 🔓🔒 pic.twitter.com/oh23Bfs4rU
Just a minute after puck drop, Blackwood impressed on his first save of the game.
Tweet from @NJDevils: This was a toe-tally great save for Mackenzie Blackwood's @NHL debut, even if we do say so ourselves. #NJDevils pic.twitter.com/yN8K7v3ISG
By the end of the first period, the rookie faced 17 shots.
Tweet from @NJDevils: In his first 20 minutes tonight, Mackenzie Blackwood faced 17 SOG. #NJDvsCBJ pic.twitter.com/4TPHBCfkQA
Not to mention, facing six of those shots in a 30-second span at the end of the period while the Devils were killing off a penalty.
Tweet from @NJDevils: Mac had quite a finish to that opening period during the PK. 😱 pic.twitter.com/8Ry75g4Yhk
Blackwood went on to face 17 shots in the second period and made some very impressive saves in the final frame.

At the end of the night, he faced 38 shots, stopping 36 of them. Although he didn't record his first NHL win on the night, he felt good about his first start. Here's what he had to say at the end of the night:
Tweet from @NJDevils: "It was a good starter and benchmark for me. The boys played really hard for me." -Mackenzie Blackwood👂 Coach Hynes: https://t.co/CmFYlWO92T👂 Zajac: https://t.co/MJbi3GeIYb pic.twitter.com/B6NU3TPY0w
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