Scott Wedgewood’s stellar start will pay dividends later for Avalanche

The Avalanche had questions in goal to start the season. Expected incumbent MacKenzie Blackwood had off-season surgery on a lower-body injury and is currently out week-to-week; that means backup Scott Wedgewood will man the blue paint for the opening several games of the season as it’s currently unknown when Blackwood will be back.

Wedgewood has seized the opportunity, just like he did last season when he was acquired, and has played well, with the Avalanche earning five points across their three games thus far.

Wedgewood is 11th in the NHL with 1.7 goals saved above expected. The only other goalie in the top ten that has played as many games as Wedgewood has (3) is Rangers’ goalie Igor Shesterkin, he of Vezina-winning play.

Wedgewood is a proven backup for the team. It’s a luxury for a team to have a goalie like Wedgie – one that can step in without notice, or on an irregular basis – and continue to provide quality play for the players in front of him.

The netminder was acquired mid-season last year and all he did was put up a 1.99 goals-against average with two shutouts in 18 games wearing the burgundy and blue. 13 wins in 18 games helped him solidify the team in the time Wedgewood had the net before Blackwood was acquired.

His play was of vital importance to a team that was floundering early in the season last year. He helped steady the ship and the team eventually got into a rhythm and comfortably made the playoffs.

That same situation befell upon the team this year. Wedgewood once again stepped up and filled big shoes as a number one goalie. He’s currently played the most minutes in the NHL with over 184 through three games. He’s got a 1.95 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage this season. He has registered a quality start in two of three so far this season.

Without Wedgewood, the team could easily have started in a rut. The backup goalie position is an issue for a lot of teams in the league, and the Avalanche are in the minority with a reliable one.

As the season moves along and the days, then months, tick off the calendar, playoff races get into gear, and teams are always jockeying for position in the standings. Picking up early points, being able to rely on the backup goaltender, has the potential to pay huge dividends during those times.