Hertl upset Sharks didn't retaliate after Predators ran over Blackwood
Sharks center Tomas Hertl called out his teammates after they failed to stand up for netminder Mackenzie Blackwood, who got run over by a pair of Predators players late in the third period of San Jose's 5-1 loss to Nashville on Saturday.
"I just don't like the last 10 minutes because we just left (Blackwood) alone," a frustrated Hertl told reporters postgame. "He was on his back. We just have to be there more together, step it up.
"If it's 5-1, cross-check someone and show them they can't do anything. ... We have to show them they can't do that to us - at least play hard around the net."
Roman Josi clipped Blackwood as the Predators defenseman charged to the net. The goaltender ended up flat on his back, and forward Filip Forsberg landed on top of Blackwood as he attempted to get the puck over the goal line.
Here's the Forsberg body slam of Blackwood that got Hertl & Quinn so riled up at #SJSharks for not standing up for their goalie.
- Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) October 22, 2023
Full quotes & video here --> https://t.co/cDliQGR2R3 pic.twitter.com/FCVY7sV5Xh
"It just can't happen, especially in the last five minutes," Hertl said. "Nobody cares if anybody takes an extra two minutes (as a retaliatory penalty). I think the locker room is great, but ... I think our goalies stand on (their) head for us. They play - both - really well. We have to show them we're there for them."
Blackwood seems to be OK after the incident, but Sharks head coach David Quinn was similarly disappointed in his players' lack of response.
"That'll be addressed," he said. "You got to protect your goalie. I don't care if you're friends or not. You got to protect your goalie."
Blackwood surrendered five goals on 34 shots during Saturday's loss. He's performed admirably on a winless Sharks squad, boasting a .906 save percentage across three starts.
San Jose acquired Blackwood's restricted free-agent rights from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a 2023 sixth-round pick in the offseason. The 26-year-old signed a two-year deal with an average annual value of $2.35 million soon after.
Blackwood turned heads in his Sharks debut in a shootout loss against the Colorado Avalanche on Oct. 14. His 51 stops were the most-ever saves by a goaltender in his first game with a new team in league history.
Blackwood has been splitting the crease with Kaapo Kahkonen, who owns an .897 save percentage and a 3.60 goals-against average across two starts.
The Sharks' next chance to get their first win of the season will come Tuesday against the Florida Panthers.
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