Mackenzie Blackwood, the Colorado Avalanche goaltender, is preparing to intensify his game as the Stanley Cup Playoffs approach, aiming to secure the starting spot in goal. With the playoffs still weeks away, Blackwood holds a 2.36 goals-against average and a 91.1% save percentage but acknowledges there is room for improvement in his performance.
As the Avalanche strive to reach their postseason goals, coach Jared Bednar and Blackwood himself recognize the need for steady contributions in goal, especially given strong competition from backup goalie Scott Wedgewood, who currently has the hot hand. The upcoming weeks will be critical for Blackwood’s continued goalie development to prove he can lead the team when it matters most.
The Goalies’ Duel: Blackwood and Wedgewood Battle for the Starting Role
Scott Wedgewood has demonstrated remarkable form recently, stepping in to finish strong runs in games against high-ranked Western Conference rivals like Dallas and Minnesota. After Blackwood was pulled early in a Dallas game following a rough start, Wedgewood secured a 5-4 win in a shootout by stopping every shot he faced during regulation and the tiebreaker. He continued his reliable play with a key victory over Minnesota in another shootout.
Wedgewood’s career year includes career-high numbers in starts (34 and counting) and appearances, despite managing aches as the season grinds on. His ability to perform under pressure puts him in strong contention to maintain the starting role for the time being, especially with his hot streak and consistent results in high-stakes games.
Although Wedgewood has limited playoff experience, his recent performances have made it difficult for Blackwood to secure the starting job with certainty. Coach Jared Bednar emphasized the internal pressure within the team for Blackwood to respond and reclaim his standing by delivering solid outings. “I hope so, yeah,” Bednar said when asked if Blackwood faces more pressure to improve following Wedgewood’s strong play.
“Players are going to go through ups and downs. I thought Mackenzie came out of the Olympic break and was fantastic for us… Now it’s Blackie’s turn to step in and go try and get us a win.”
Blackwood’s Mindset on Competition and Performance Expectations
Blackwood openly discussed his approach to competing for the starting position. When asked if he would feel insulted if not chosen as the Game 1 starter a month from now, he answered thoughtfully,
“Depends how I’m playing. If I know I’m not playing my best and Scott Wedgewood is playing lights out, then you understand. But if I’m obviously playing my best hockey, then I feel like if I’m at my best, I can be as good or better than anybody on any given day. It just depends on the circumstance.”
The Avalanche netminder recognizes that his current level is not where he wants it to be.
“No, I have another level to get to,”
Blackwood admitted, signaling his determination to reach a higher standard in his goalie development.
He knows his performance ultimately affects team success and the tough decisions coaches face.
“A coach’s job is to make those decisions. And a player’s job is to go do your best on the ice, make them have tough choices. So, yeah. It’s pretty simple,”
Blackwood said when reflecting on making the starting decision challenging for the coaching staff.
Physical Demands and Managing Goalie Workloads During the Season
One of the challenges facing both Avalanche goalies is managing fatigue over a demanding schedule filled with frequent travel and back-to-back games. Wedgewood spoke candidly about this aspect before the Olympic break:
“You think about the schedule, right? Every other day, you’re traveling. (If) you have a tough situation going on, and you’ve got a (goalie) that’s rested, that could be a big game just to get a guy reset.”
Wedgewood cited an example of how resting goalies strategically can prepare them better for upcoming contests, referencing Dallas goalie Jake Oettinger:
“They pulled him and got him reset, and (then he’s) going next game.”
He expressed optimism about the team’s confidence in both himself and Blackwood, saying,
“It’ll be a fun time of the year. And I think we’ll be firing on all cylinders.”
Even with strong performances, it is clear that managing workload carefully is essential as the Avalanche approach the postseason, where goaltending reliability can determine fate.
The Stakes of Blackwood’s Playoff Readiness for Avalanche’s Championship Hopes
Blackwood’s potential to “pull the sled” during the Stanley Cup Playoffs is crucial to Colorado’s ambitions. His highs show he can be outstanding, while the occasional lapses at critical moments against division rivals have been concerning. Yet, his seven playoff games with the Avalanche last year provide valuable experience — an asset that Wedgewood, with only four career playoff appearances and none as a starter, does not match.
This experience, combined with Blackwood’s confidence and the pressure from internal competition, places a spotlight on his ongoing development as a goalie ready to lead in postseason pressure. The Avalanche coaching staff faces the delicate balance of giving Blackwood enough ice time to find his stride without compromising the team’s regular season seeding.
Wedgewood, coming off an impressive season record (24-4-5), might need rest to avoid burnout, underscoring the importance of Blackwood stepping up in the coming weeks.
Avalanche Team Dynamics and the Importance of Strength in Goal
Coach Jared Bednar framed the internal competition between Blackwood and Wedgewood as a natural and healthy pressure within the Avalanche locker room:
“So I think that pressure is just kind of internal in our locker room … kind of following the expectations of our group.”
This mindset reflects the team’s ambition and desire to earn a deep playoff run.
Both goalies have battled injuries and wear throughout the grueling campaign but remain critical to the team’s success. Bednar’s strategy includes leveraging both players’ strengths while managing their physical limits until the critical moment arrives.
Looking Ahead: Anticipating the Battle for the Avalanche’s Goalie Starting Role
With roughly a month remaining before the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin, the race intensifies for Blackwood and Wedgewood to display who will be the Avalanche’s primary netminder. Blackwood’s commitment to elevating his game is clear, as is his belief that consistent excellence is required to earn the starting position.
Wedgewood’s career year and recent clutch performances, however, ensure that the starting goalie decision will not be straightforward. This competition is poised to push both goaltenders to new heights and could significantly influence the Avalanche’s postseason success.
In the high-pressure environment of playoff hockey, the readiness and resilience of Colorado’s goaltending will likely play a decisive role in their quest to bring the Stanley Cup back to Colorado. The coming weeks represent a pivotal phase for the development and performance of Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood alike.
NHL Goalie Save % Leaders (3/8/2026)
1) Devin Cooley (CGY) — 0.923
2) Scott Wedgewood (COL) — 0.915
3) Alex Lyon (BUF) — 0.915
4) Andrei Vasilevskiy (TBL) — 0.914
5) Ilya Sorokin (NYI) — 0.914
6) Casey DeSmith (DAL) — 0.914
7) Philipp Grubauer (SEA) — 0.913
8) Logan Thompson…— Stats Drop (@StatsDrop) March 8, 2026
