The Colorado Avalanche’s goaltending, which at one point was a clear strength, has now, all of a sudden, become a source of concern.
Before Monday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, netminders Scott Wedgewood and MacKenzie Blackwood had had a couple of blips on the radar screen. But after the 7-2 loss, the time has come to worry about the Avalanche’s goaltending situation.
Wedgwood got the start against the Penguins and proceeded to surrender three goals on five shots. He got the hook after just 13 minutes, giving way to Blackwood. Blackwood didn’t fare that much better, surrendering four goals on 15 shots.
While some may point out that the Avalanche should have scored more, it’s outrageous to expect the offense to score seven or eight goals every game.
Moreover, it’s ridiculous to allow seven goals on just 20 shots. Evgeni Malkin had a great game, sure. But you have to think that at some point, the goalies would have shut down the door.
But they didn’t. The game was pretty much out of hand by the end of the first period, and over after 40 minutes.
The situation does not seem encouraging. Blackwood got pulled on March 6 against the Stars after conceding four goals on 11 shots. While the Avalanche came back to win the game, Blackwood lost his next two starts.
Now, Wedgewood’s shaky outing has fans asking questions about what’s going on.
Perhaps it’s just a case of the stretch run and fatigue wearing on players. Perhaps it’s just one of those speed bumps. But the situation has gotten concerning to the point where the Avalanche may need to find time off for their goalies.
Avalanche might need to call up Miner
The Avalanche may need to give Blackwood some time off. While Jared Bednar stated that he plans to go with the hot hand, there doesn’t seem to be one right now.
That’s why calling up Trent Miner could give the Avalanche a reprieve. The Avs play the Stars on Wednesday night and then the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday. The game against the Blackhawks could be a good opportunity to give Blackwood some time off.
As such, Wedgewood could be back in the saddle against the Stars, with Blackwood going back in the crease against the Washington Capitals on Sunday night.
Considering that Colorado will be pretty much playing every other day for the rest of the regular season, it may be necessary to spread out some of the starts. Only a handful of the games moving forward are against playoff teams. So, this might be the best time to let Blackwood and Wedgewood get a bit of a breather before launching into the rigors of what will hopefully be a long playoff run.