The Colorado Avalanche are rolling to start the season. They are one of two undefeated teams (regulation losses) and are in the midst of a three-game winning streak.
There’s plenty to be optimistic about in Colorado, particularly the surprisingly strong play from Scott Wedgewood. It’s not that fans didn’t have faith in Wedgewood. It’s that no one really thought he’d be THIS good to start the season.
Wedgewood has played every minute of all six games thus far this season. All he’s done is put up 1.48 GAA and a .938 SV%. He’s given up nine goals on 145 shots during that span.
Those numbers are fantastic, especially when considering that he’s the backup and not the starter. But you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference based on the numbers alone.
The starter is actually MacKenzie Blackwood. His injury, however, opened the door to Wedgewood’s run this season.
So, the Colorado Avalanche could have a dilemma looming on the horizon when Blackwood is ready to come back.
The good news in this entire issue is that the Avalanche won’t have to rush Blackwood back. He can take his time in getting back into playing shape, given the way Wedgewood has been playing.
But when Blackwood is ready, do the Avalanche move Wedgewood back to the bench? Does Blackwood become a sort of backup while the club rolls with the hot hand? Does Colorado go with a Wedgewood-Blackwood tandem?
These questions don’t have an answer until Blackwood is ready to hit the ice. If Blackwood is phenomenal from the get-go, a tandem may be the way forward. But if he struggles, Wedgewood can buy the team enough time for Blackwood to get back on track.
Colorado Avalanche will need two goalies moving forward
The Colorado Avalanche will not be able to ride Wedgewood indefinitely. The schedule ahead necessitates another goalie to split the duties.
Following Tuesday night’s game against the Mammoth, the Avalanche have another contest against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday.
Thereafter, the Avs have a back-to-back set against the Boston Bruins at the TD Garden on Saturday and the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on Sunday. You would imagine that Wedgewood could play three of those four games. But the backup, Trent Miner, at this time, will likely get one of those games.
The likeliest game would be the Saturday night showdown against the Boston Bruins. Perhaps Blackwood might be ready in time for one of those games. But that’s not abundantly clear at this time.
Blackwood completed a conditioning stint with the Colorado Eagles last week, though he didn’t see any game action. Moreover, Evan Rawal reported that Blackwood won’t travel with the club to Utah. That makes sense if he isn’t going to play.
So, could that mean the Avalanche are laying down the foundation for Blackwood’s return at home against the Hurricanes?
In the meantime, the crease is Wedgewood’s. This situation won’t become an issue until Wedgewood has a stinker. At that point, questions will emerge about Wedgewood either turning into a pumpkin or simply being overworked.