While New Jersey Devils forward Nico Hischier is lighting the lamp, goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood has also established his case as the team’s most valuable player for this season.
The rookie goaltender already initiated Calder Trophy nomination talks with his performance in net over the last two months. No. 29 once again broke headlines on Tuesday night vs. the New York Islanders.
What started as an uneventful second period ended with a standing ovation for the 23-year-old at the Prudential Center. Moments after Hischier netted a backhand top-shelf goal to tie the game at 2-2, Blackwood blocked a Ryan Pulock clapper with the chin area of his mask.