The Cooling of a Colorado Favorite
Scott Wedgewood has spent the better part of his career fighting to shed the journeyman label, but the Colorado Avalanche goaltender is currently facing his most public hurdle yet. After a 2025-26 campaign that saw him lead the NHL in save percentage (.921) and goals-against average (2.02), the 34-year-old finds himself searching for answers following tough outings. As reported by the Denver Post, Wedgewood was pulled from Tuesday’s 7-2 loss against the Columbus Blue Jackets after allowing four goals on just nine shots, a performance that followed a 6-2 defeat in Nashville where he yielded six goals on 35 shots.
For a player who became a cornerstone of the Avalanche locker room and a co-recipient of the Jennings Trophy just last season, the current dip in form is a stark departure from the reliability he provided when filling in for Mackenzie Blackwood. Wedgewood’s frustration is palpable, though he remains focused on the mechanics of his game. “I’m trying to figure it out,” Wedgewood told the Denver Post. “You want to win. You want to play. You want to do everything right. I put my mindset in that. Just try and do what you think is going to work, then go back to the drawing board if it doesn’t.”
Data Reveals Defensive Breakdowns Drive Poor Goaltending Numbers
While the surface-level numbers—a 4.02 GAA and an .867 save percentage through five games—suggest a sharp decline, a deeper look at the data indicates the blame may not rest entirely on the goaltender’s shoulders. According to analysis from Mile High Sticking, which utilizes metrics from MoneyPuck.com, Wedgewood has been effective at stopping low-danger chances, maintaining a .962 save percentage in those situations. The trouble arises when the defensive structure in front of him breaks down.
Mile High Sticking notes that everyone needs to play better with really no other way around it, pointing out that the Avalanche are allowing high-danger chances at a rate that would challenge any goaltender.
The data shows a clear drop-off for Wedgewood when facing higher-quality opportunities, with his save percentage dipping to .811 on medium-danger chances and .571 on high-danger chances. The team is seeing a high volume of unblocked shots hitting the net, with Wedgewood facing pressure that is compounded by a defensive unit currently struggling to suppress high-scoring opportunities.
Strategic Shifts for the Avalanche
The coaching staff remains committed to the established rotation, even as the team navigates this rocky stretch. Head coach Jared Bednar has publicly supported his backup, emphasizing that the struggles in Columbus were a collective failure rather than a singular issue. “He’s going to have his scheduled starts,” Bednar told the Denver Post. “I have a lot of faith in Wedge. I’ve seen him play really well for us.”
The current scheduling dynamic has also been a point of contention. Wedgewood has largely been deployed during the second leg of back-to-back sets, a period where the team as a whole has struggled to find its rhythm. Mile High Sticking suggests that shifting Wedgewood to the first leg of these pairings might provide him with a more stable environment to regain his confidence. With no back-to-back games on the horizon until Nov. 18 and 19, the Avalanche have a narrow window to recalibrate their defensive approach before the next high-pressure sequence in Salt Lake City and Denver.
Career History Shows Veteran Maintains Strong Save Percentages
Wedgewood’s career history provides a reason for optimism. Since becoming a regular NHL contributor in the 2020-21 season, he has never finished a year with a save percentage below .899. Having played for five franchises before landing in Denver, he is well-versed in the mental fortitude required to bounce back after a poor outing. For now, the veteran is choosing to keep his head down, focusing on the basics of his craft while waiting for the next opportunity to prove that his recent outings were an anomaly rather than a decline.
