The Colorado Avalanche clinched a thrilling overtime victory against the Washington Capitals on Sunday afternoon. It was a game that may have started sluggishly, but it ended with the Avalanche showcasing their resilience and knack for clutch performances.
Mackenzie Blackwood's win was particularly noteworthy, marking only the second time in franchise history that both Avalanche goaltenders have reached 20 wins in a season. Blackwood now boasts a 20-8-0-1 record, while Scott Wedgewood, who last saw action against the Dallas Stars, stands at 25-5-0-6.
When the Avalanche's goaltending shines, they often find themselves on the winning side. Sunday was no exception, as the team struggled offensively until the third period, when they netted two crucial goals. The game concluded just 1:22 into overtime with Brock Nelson slipping the puck past Logan Thompson.
However, the road hasn't always been smooth for their goaltenders. Blackwood had to step in during a tough 7-2 loss to the Penguins and missed the early part of the season due to surgery. His return on November 1 against the Sharks saw him allow 10 goals on 77 shots over his first three games, translating to an 87% save percentage.
Despite these challenges, the Avalanche have been a powerhouse, leading the league with 46 wins, 102 points, and 40 regulation victories. Their offensive firepower is evident with 254 goals scored, averaging 3.68 per game, while their defense has been stingy, allowing a league-low 169 goals. Their penalty kill is also impressive, ranking fourth at 82.8%.
While the offense often grabs headlines, the goaltending has been crucial to their success. It might not always be spectacular, but it's consistently reliable, which can be all that's needed.
As the postseason approaches, the focus will be on maintaining this strong goaltending. The competition will be fierce, and both Blackwood and Wedgewood will need to step up.
A key decision for coach Jared Bednar will be who to start in net. Wedgewood has certainly earned his starts, but Bednar has expressed a desire to give Blackwood more ice time after his early-season absence. This suggests a confidence in Blackwood, the intended starter.
The strategy might involve playing whoever has the hot hand, especially since the team performs well with either goalie. It's a good problem to have when both are performing at a high level.
With the return of Gabriel Landeskog and Nazem Kadri, the Avalanche are poised for an uptick in offensive production. This should alleviate some pressure on the goalies, but they'll still need to be at their best as opponents won't back down easily.