Scott Wedgewood has proven to be the goalie to go with for the Colorado Avalanche. His dependability is why he got the postseason start between the pipes.
“It’s just what we expect now. He’s played well for us all year, and he’s going to continue to do so. So it’s nice to see him get off to a good start, and our team to get off to a good start,” defenseman Devon Toews said.
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“I haven’t known him long, but coming in, he’s been outstanding,” defenseman Brett Kulak said. “Even last night (Game 2) again, the save on the penalty shot — and that’s just one of the few saves I can think of to keep us in the game, and essentially be a big part of the win. It’s been huge. It’s big in the playoffs to have goaltending like that.”
The Brampton, Ontario native started the season with Mackenzie Blackwood out on injury, and ended up playing six more games than the labeled starter. His 43-31-6-6 record included the League’s best 2.02 goals-against-average and .921 save percentage.
“I thought he was fantastic. Yeah, did everything he needed to do. Obviously, bigger stakes, more emotion, but played the exact same way that he’s been playing for us all year,” head coach Jared Bednar said after the Game 1 win and finding out it was Wedgewood’s first NHL playoff start.
Why Wedgewood and not Blackwood?
As he has been a backup his entire career, the tables have turned for the 33-year-old netminder. Colorado implemented a tandem goaltending structure, which has proven beneficial for the team. Both have been reliable, earning the William M. Jennings Trophy (goaltender(s) who plays a minimum of 25 games for the team allowing the fewest goals during the regular season).
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Wedgewood has continued to play as he did all season in his first two career NHL playoff starts. The only factor that has changed is the game’s elevation for everyone.
“It’s the whole team, the whole league. It’s what it is, it’s just more important. It’s energy up, emotion up, passion up. It’s not exclusive to Wedge. It’s not exclusive to guys that are skating in the game. It’s everyone. It’s fan involvement. Everybody involved in the Stanley Cup Playoffs is elevated,” Bednar said. “In Wedgie’s game, it’s just the intensity of it. It’s the same as all the other players, in my opinion.”
Blackwood will most likely get starts, as this team is expected to go deep into the playoffs. It helps that the duo has a close dynamic and supports each other as friends and teammates.
“There’s a comfort level with our team, because they’re relaxed and they’re never in panic mode. They never run super emotionally hot, where they’re riding the roller coaster of the way our team’s playing,” Bednar said.
Trustworthy and reliable are traits that Bednar emphasizes as important for his players. Wedgewood exemplifies these qualities perfectly.
