Adversity has found its way into Avalanche games this season, but it’s never been enough to break the NHL’s No. 1 team.
In the latest round of adversity, Scott Wedgewood, who has been Colorado’s No. 1 goalie for most of the season, exited the ice and went down the tunnel with 7:32 left in the second period of a 1-1 game. The team later announced that it was an upper-body injury.
“He tightened up a little bit. His back. Thought we’d take him out. Better safe than sorry,” head coach Jared Bednar said. “Nothing too serious at this point.”
Mackenzie Blackwood entered in his place and held the fort down for Colorado, albeit without facing many shots.
The Avs scored two goals before the intermission and used a strong middle frame to defeat the Vancouver Canucks 3-1 at Ball Arena.
Nathan MacKinnon had two goals, Brock Nelson added one, and Gabe Landeskog finished with two primary assists. Blackwood made 10 saves in relief to earn the win. Wedgewood had also made 10 saves on 11 shots before leaving.
The Canucks got the scoring started early. Just 2:55 in, Linus Karlsson beat Wedgewood on the backhand off a set up from Arshdeep Bains. The Avs played sloppy for the first parts of the first period and needed Wedgewood to bail them out from going down by multiple goals.
On one play, Brent Burns pinched to poke the puck away and was unsuccessful. Vancouver’s Kiefer Sherwood came in on a breakaway and was stopped with a glove save.
The final few minutes of the period were all in Colorado’s favor. And with 37 seconds remaining, MacKinnon put in a rebound off a shot from Sam Malinski to tie it up at 1-1.
Just 1:24 after Wedgewood was replaced, Nelson found the back of the net after getting set up from Landeskog. The No. 2 centerman has 12 points in his last 10 game. And, again, MacKinnon added a late goal, this time with 34 seconds remaining. MacKinnon was in the slot and yet another pass from Landeskog set up his league-leading 22nd of the season.
Landeskog also has a point-per-game in his last 10 games, scoring four goals and adding six assists. Landeskog also has six points in his previous two games.
“To be completely honest, I think it was just a matter of time,” Landeskog said. “That was at least the way I felt, and I’m sure Brock felt the same way.”
Positive: Wedgewood Kept It Close
It’s been a long time since the Avalanche have trailed by multiple goals at any point in any game. I don’t believe Vancouver’s hypothetical two-goal lead would’ve been the end of the world, especially given how Colorado took over the game.
But it was still nice to see Wedgewood hold the fort down and keep things from getting out of reach. The Avs had an uncharacteristic first half of the first period, with several giveaways that led to Vancouver rushing up the ice the other way.
Aside from Karlsson’s tally, nothing else got past Wedgewood, and the Avs did not trail the rest of the way.
Negative: Wedgewood Hurt
Losing Wedgewood would be a significant hit to the lineup, especially with how condensed the upcoming schedule. Thankfully, it doesn’t sound too serious.
The Avs play on the road Thursday and have a back-to-back over the weekend. They’ll need both guys to get through that without overtaxing any of their goalies.
Bednar confirmed that Wedgewood will travel with the team when they fly to Philadelphia on Wednesday. It’s not yet determined if they’ll need a third goalie.
Not only would a lengthy injury ruin Bednar’s ability to rotate two goalies, but it could also hinder his chances to make Team Canada and potentially put a damper on what’s been an incredible season to date.
