Scott Wedgewood should be Avalanche's primary postseason goalie after Game 1 win over Kings in Stanley Cup playoffs

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 (per Evan Rawal of The Denver Gazette).

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.