The Colorado Avalanche have been missing their main man between the pipes to kick off the 2025-26 season, Mackenzie Blackwood. He underwent a surgical procedure in May to tend to a lower-body injury he suffered, and didn’t have quite enough time to make a full recovery to be ready to roll at the start of the month.
Scott Wedgewood, who is usually Blackwood’s backup, has been the main guy in the net this season, and put together a strong start that saw him win the NHL’s Third Star of the Week eight days ago. However, after allowing just one goal past him in five of his first six starts, Wedgewood has allowed at least three in each of his last three starts. He was on the bench for Sunday’s game against the Devils, a contest in which Trent Miner got the nod and allowed four goals in an overtime loss.
The Avalanche need their main man back, and it seems that his season debut is right around the corner.
Blackwood was sent up north to do a conditioning stint with the AHL Eagles recently, but that was a very quick jump that lasted just four days as the schedule suited him better than traveling with the team to the East Coast. That loan ended on Oct. 17.
On Tuesday, it was announced that 28-year-old would be making his season debut in the Avalanche lineup for Tuesday’s home tilt against the New Jersey Devils, but not as the starter. Blackwood will be the backup for Wedgewood on Tuesday for the first rendition of “The Wood Shed” for the Avs this season.
There is no clarity on whether the plan is to have him as the backup just for Tuesday’s game, or for the next couple, but him at least being in the lineup is a massive step in the right direction.
Puck drop for Tuesday’s game is set for 7:00 p.m. MDT from Ball Arena.
