Mackenzie Blackwood of Thunder Bay, Ontario notched his sixth career National Hockey League shutout on Sunday. The Devils goaltender made 40 saves as the Devils blanked the Boston Bruins 1-0 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
Blackwood made nine saves in the first period, 14 saves in the second period, and 17 saves in the third period. David Pastrnak of Havirov, Czech Republic, led the Bruins with six shots on goal.
The Devils got their lone goal from Kyle Palmieri of Smithtown, New York. Palmieri scored from Ty Smith of Lloydminster, Alberta, and Jesper Bratt of Stockholm, Sweden with three minutes and 23 seconds left in the first period for the only goal of the game.
Blackwood becomes the second Canadian Devils goaltender to shutout the Bruins this season by a score of 1-0, and make 40 saves in the process. On March 7, Scott Wedgewood of Brampton, Ontario achieved the feat.
With the shutout, Blackwood improves to a record of nine wins, nine regulation losses, and one loss in extra time. He has a goals against average of 2.82, and a save percentage of .911.
Even though the Devils are nine points back of the Bruins for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, there are some positive signs for New Jersey. In their last 10 games, they are above the .500 mark at 5-4-1, and one must remember, they play in a very tough East Division.
