Adversity has knocked on the Avalanche’s door more than once this season-but so far, it hasn’t found a way inside. Colorado continues to show why it sits atop the NHL standings, and Tuesday night’s 3-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks was just the latest reminder of this team’s resilience.
The biggest concern of the night came midway through the second period, when starting goaltender Scott Wedgewood exited the game with what the team later called an upper-body injury. He left the ice with 7:32 remaining in the period and didn’t return.
“He tightened up a little bit. His back,” head coach Jared Bednar said postgame.
“Thought we’d take him out. Better safe than sorry.
Nothing too serious at this point.”
Wedgewood had been solid up to that point, stopping 10 of 11 shots and keeping the Avs in a game that started off a little shaky. His early saves proved crucial, especially during a first period where Colorado looked a bit off its rhythm.
Vancouver jumped out to a 1-0 lead less than three minutes in, when Linus Karlsson buried a slick backhand finish off a feed from Arshdeep Bains. The Canucks had a few chances to extend that lead, including a breakaway from Kiefer Sherwood, but Wedgewood stood tall-none bigger than his glove save on Sherwood to keep it a one-goal game.
That steadiness gave the Avs time to settle in. And once they did, they took over.
Nathan MacKinnon tied things up late in the first, pouncing on a rebound from Sam Malinski’s shot with just 37 seconds left in the period. It was a momentum-shifting goal, and Colorado didn’t waste any time building on it.
Just 1:24 after Wedgewood left the game, Brock Nelson gave the Avs the lead with a quick finish off a primary assist from Gabe Landeskog. That’s 12 points in Nelson’s last 10 games-he’s quietly been one of the most consistent secondary scorers in the lineup.
Then, with 34 seconds remaining in the second, MacKinnon struck again. This time, he found space in the slot and buried a one-timer off another slick feed from Landeskog-MacKinnon’s league-leading 22nd goal of the season. That’s elite production from a player who continues to drive Colorado’s offense night after night.
Landeskog, for his part, is heating up in a big way. The captain now has 10 points in his last 10 games, including four goals and six assists.
He’s also posted five points in his last two outings. He’s not just producing-he’s making the players around him better, which is exactly what you want from your leader.
“To be completely honest, I think it was just a matter of time,” Landeskog said after the game. “That was at least the way I felt, and I’m sure Brock felt the same way.”
With Wedgewood out, Mackenzie Blackwood stepped in and did exactly what was needed-hold the line. He only faced 10 shots, but he stopped them all, earning the win in relief. It was a low-volume night, but Blackwood’s calm presence helped preserve the lead and close out the game.
What Went Right: Wedgewood’s Early Saves Set the Tone
Before the Avs found their legs, Wedgewood’s play kept things from spiraling. That first period could’ve gotten out of hand-Colorado was uncharacteristically sloppy with the puck, and Vancouver had a few prime looks on the rush. But Wedgewood limited the damage to just one goal, and the Avs never trailed again after MacKinnon’s equalizer.
In a season where Colorado has rarely found itself down by multiple goals, Wedgewood’s ability to weather those early storms has been quietly crucial. It’s not always about the highlight-reel saves-sometimes, it’s about keeping your team in it long enough for the offense to wake up. That’s exactly what he did.
What Could Hurt: Wedgewood’s Status Moving Forward
Now, the question becomes: how serious is Wedgewood’s injury?
The early signs are encouraging-Bednar said the team took him out as a precaution and that he’ll travel with the team to Philadelphia for Thursday’s game. But with a back-to-back looming over the weekend, Colorado will need both goalies available to manage the workload.
If Wedgewood misses time, it’s not just about the short-term goaltending rotation. He’s been a key part of Colorado’s success this season, and any extended absence could throw a wrench into the team’s rhythm.
There’s also the bigger picture-Wedgewood has been playing at a level that could put him in the mix for Team Canada. An injury now wouldn’t just impact the Avs; it could affect his international aspirations, too.
For now, though, the Avalanche keep rolling. They didn’t flinch when their starter left the game.
They didn’t panic after falling behind early. They just responded-with depth, with poise, and with the kind of confidence that championship-caliber teams carry.
This team has seen its fair share of adversity. So far, it hasn’t slowed them down one bit.