The Backup Mindset: Mackenzie Blackwood Learned From Cory Schneider

How many of you have been in a situation where you weren’t playing as much as you’d like?

You probably thought you deserved more starts, and maybe you did, but in a team game, that is not your decision.

Right now, Mackenzie Blackwood probably isn’t playing as much as he’d like to. He’s only gotten two starts in the Avalanche’s first 10 games of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, largely watching from the bench as tandem partner Scott Wedgewood carries the load.

Almost every goalie finds themselves in this position from time to time. It can be difficult to manage your desire to play with the need to support what’s best for the team. It can be even harder to admit that sometimes you not playing IS what is best for the team.