The Colorado Avalanche are gearing up for the Western Conference clash against the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs.
The Avs hit the ice for practice on Saturday with an understandable business-like attitude. Yes, the group looks optimistic and upbeat. But there’s also a mission to complete. One of the elements of that mission is deciding who will get the call in the crease for Game 1.
As it stands, it looks like it will be a tough call. Both Scott Wedgewood and MacKenzie Blackwood saw action in the five-game series against the Minnesota Wild. Both showed varying degrees of effectiveness, potentially leading to some uncertainty about who could get the call.
But according to Corey Rholdon of KKTV Sports, it was Wedgewood who looked better overall during Saturday’s practice.
In particular, Wedgewood’s perfect relief appearance in Game 5 against Minnesota could be what tips the scales in his favor for Game 1 against Vegas. It’s certainly safe to assume that the increased workload this postseason has caught up to Wedgewood. Nevertheless, the extended layoff will certainly be crucial in helping the veteran netminder recover.
But the speedbumps this postseason are not going to faze the Avs’ de facto starter.
“Every kind of goal that goes in, you kind of look at, you see the crazy ones come across social media; everyone’s got their opinions about how to play the position.”
Beyond dissenting opinions, Wedgewood understands just how special it is for him to be in the position he’s in at the moment.
“There are four of us that do it. You look at the goalies that are left, I don’t think there’s a ton of us that were probably on anyone’s bingo cards as the guys three or four years ago.”
The Colorado Avalanche were back out at practice on Saturday gearing up for the Western Conference finals. Cale Makar did not practice as he rests for Wednesday game one vs. Las Vegas.
— Corey Rholdon (@Corey_RholdonTV) May 17, 2026
Scott Wedgewood looked like the better goaltender today as well. @KKTV11Sports pic.twitter.com/CiU3rz3kXo
Indeed, before coming to Colorado, Wedgewood was pretty much a journeyman backup goalie. Beyond one solid showing with the Dallas Stars in 2023-24, Wedgewood was essentially doomed to wearing the ballcap behind other netminders.
But here we are. And here is Wedgewood, who’ll likely get the call next Wednesday night against Vegas at Ball Arena.
The Avalanche will need Wedgewood to be at his best. Taking Game 1 will be a crucial first step towards making it to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2022.
Add us as a preferred source on Google