Ruff to Blackwood: 'Live in the Moment' | BLOG

The Devils will host Carolina Saturday and Los Angeles Sunday as part of their current four-game homestand. The club has seven games to play over the next 11 days, which includes two sets of back-to-backs.
Blackwood has played in both games of back-to-back action in the past. However, still coming off of COVID-19 and having already shouldered a heavy workload this season, the Devils will have to be smart about his energy levels and usage.
With the schedule so compact, the Devils will have to rely on their tandem in goal between Mackenzie Blackwood and Jon Gillies to split some of the workload.
"We have gone back-to-back. But if you look at the overall schedule, five games in eight nights. A lot of hockey is coming up," head coach Lindy Ruff said. "The realization is we're going to have to use two goaltenders."

Blackwood, 25, has had a mixed season so far, going 9-9-3 with a 3.29 goals-against average and .894 save percentage with two shutouts. However, he has surrendered three or more goals in nine of the past 10 games.
"I've spent time with Mackenzie," Ruff said. "I'm personally responsible for this whole group. I've had ongoing conversations about where you game is at, where it needs to get to. It's all part of my job."
Ruff had a message to his young goaltender during that meeting.
"Put what's behind you behind you and focus on the next game," Ruff said. "He's had his ups and downs. We've talked about this in the past. It's only the next game that counts. Focus on that, and break that down into periods. Win a period. If you lose one, go out and win the next period. Try to make strides inside of every game.
"There are a lot of goaltenders that play the game inside the game. There are a lot of things you have to let go inside of a game. Sometimes it's bad breaks, sometimes it's bad goals. Just live in the moment and don't look behind you."