Avalanche’s Mackenzie Blackwood, Jared Bednar react to facing Sharks’ Macklin Celebrini: ‘He’s a hell of a player’

SAN JOSE — Mackenzie Blackwood faced Macklin Celebrini plenty of times in practice when they were both playing for the San Jose Sharks.

But it’s a little different when the puck drops and the 18-year-old wunderkind is skating toward you in a game situation.

Blackwood and his new team, the Colorado Avalanche, discovered that firsthand on Thursday night at SAP Center. Though the Avs won 4-2 and Celebrini was held without a point, his impact was felt throughout the contest.

Never more so than in the second period...