Scott Wedgewood Shines as Avalanche’s Playoff Goalie After Kings Win

Colorado Avalanche’s Trust in Scott Wedgewood

It would make no sense for the Colorado Avalanche to take goalie Scott Wedgewood out of the net after his sharp performance against the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday. Wedgewood saved 24-of-25 shots (.960 save percentage, considered stellar) and allowed just one goal in Game 1 of Colorado’s first-round playoff series against L.A. His efforts lifted the Avalanche to a 2-1 win over the Kings, giving them a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. They’ll play in Game 2 on Tuesday (10 p.m. ET, ESPN).

Sunday’s victory marked the first postseason win of Wedgewood’s career. The 2010 third-round pick had played in relief in four postseason games entering Sunday. Now that he has shown the Avalanche he can deliver as a starter, the team shouldn’t entertain pulling him for fellow goalie Mackenzie Blackwood until he gives them reason to do so. With the way the 33-year-old goalie has played throughout the season, it’s hard to believe he will.

Why the Avalanche Can Continue to Trust Scott Wedgewood in Playoffs

Wedgewood and Blackwood were co-winners of the 2025-26 William M. Jennings Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s goaltenders who allowed the fewest goals against average during the regular season. Wedgewood led the league in GAA (2.02), while Blackwood logged the eighth-best mark (2.51). Their collective efforts helped the Avalanche finish with the NHL’s best record (55-16-11, 121 points) and win the Presidents’ Trophy.

Wedgewood, however, separated himself as the more consistent goalie over the course of the season. He had a better starting record (31-6-6, tied for No. 4 in the NHL) than Blackwood (23-10-2, tied for No. 20 in NHL) and posted the better save percentage (.921-.904). Wedgewood’s save percentage led the league.

While Wedgewood has been the better goalie throughout the season, Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar has stuck with the two-man rotation because he feels it’s been key to the team’s successful season.

“It’s unconventional, but I think there’s more teams going toward that sort of plan, and we’re definitely going to be one of them,” the coach said before the start of the postseason.

It seems Bednar is considering sticking with that formula in the postseason. He didn’t commit to naming Wedgewood the starter for Game 2 in a postgame news conference.

The Unconventional Approach

The Avalanche are trying to buck conventional wisdom, which says it’s better to commit to one goalie for most of the playoffs. But conventional wisdom often prevails in the postseason. With that in mind, the Avs should keep the goalie who gives them their best chance to hoist their fourth Stanley Cup in the lineup. For now, it appears to be Wedgewood.

Key Takeaways from the Season

Consistency: Wedgewood’s consistency throughout the season has been a key factor in the Avalanche’s success.
Performance Metrics: Wedgewood’s superior stats, including GAA and save percentage, highlight his value.
Team Strategy: Coach Bednar’s decision to use a two-goalie rotation has proven effective, and the team may continue this approach in the playoffs.

Looking Ahead

As the Avalanche prepare for Game 2, the focus will remain on Wedgewood’s ability to maintain his strong performance. The team’s strategy and confidence in Wedgewood suggest that he will continue to be the primary goaltender unless there’s a compelling reason to change course.

With the pressure of the playoffs, every decision made by the coaching staff can have significant implications. For now, the Avalanche seem content with their current setup, trusting Wedgewood to carry them through the early rounds of the playoffs.