The Colorado Avalanche's goaltending, once a fortress, has suddenly become a cause for concern. Monday night's clash against the Pittsburgh Penguins turned into a wake-up call, with the Avalanche suffering a 7-2 defeat that highlighted their netminding woes.
Scott Wedgewood started between the pipes but struggled, allowing three goals on just five shots before being pulled after 13 minutes. MacKenzie Blackwood stepped in but didn't fare much better, conceding four goals on 15 shots. It's a tough pill to swallow, especially when expecting the offense to bail out the defense with seven or eight goals every night is a tall order.
Allowing seven goals on 20 shots is far from ideal, even against a player of Evgeni Malkin's caliber. The game was effectively over by the end of the first period, leaving the Avalanche in a precarious position.
The outlook isn't promising. Blackwood was pulled on March 6 against the Stars after letting in four goals on 11 shots.
Although the Avalanche managed to rally for a win, Blackwood subsequently lost his next two starts. Now, with Wedgewood's recent performance, fans are left scratching their heads.
This could be attributed to the grind of the season or simply a rough patch. However, the situation is concerning enough that the Avalanche might need to consider giving their goalies some rest.
Bringing up Trent Miner could provide the Avalanche with a much-needed breather. With games against the Stars on Wednesday and the Blackhawks on Friday, there’s a chance to strategically rest Blackwood. Wedgewood could take the reins against the Stars, while Blackwood might return against the Washington Capitals on Sunday.
Given Colorado's packed schedule, playing nearly every other day for the remainder of the regular season, it’s crucial to manage the workload. With only a few games against playoff contenders, this stretch could be the perfect opportunity to recharge Wedgewood and Blackwood before what they hope will be an extended playoff journey.