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Avalanche goaltending drama takes new twist as Wedgewood and Blackwood chase career firsts
Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Hot season for the Colorado Avalanche has opened a fascinating goalie debate, between Scott Wedgewood and Mackenzie Blackwood, for a potential spot with Team Canada at the 2026 Games. Both men are showing reasons why they belong on the Olympic long list.
Wedgewood stepped in as the early-season backbone
. He's 13-1-2 with a .918 save percentage and ~2.21 goals-against average this year. His stretch includes a shutout over Chicago just a day after Blackwood's blanking of Nashville. Those performances helped vault him onto Canada's projected Olympic roster.
. He's 13-1-2 with a .918 save percentage and ~2.21 goals-against average this year. His stretch includes a shutout over Chicago just a day after Blackwood's blanking of Nashville. Those performances helped vault him onto Canada's projected Olympic roster.
Colorado Avalanche's goalie drama intensifies as both netminders chase Olympic glory.
Ryan O'Hara from The Hockey News reports that that Blackwood hasn't faded either. After a slower recovery from lower-body surgery, he responded with a 35-save shutout on November 22. He sits at 3-0-1 with a .911 save percentage and about 2.47 GAA in limited action. If he builds on that, his credentials become harder to ignore.
That friendly rivalry may be one of the most compelling goalie duels in recent memory.
Colorado sits atop the league with a 16-1-5 record this season, and a lot of that success traces back to goaltending. Wedgewood gives the club a reliable hand every night. Blackwood offers upside and playoff-tested poise. Either way, Colorado is winning.
From a fan's perspective, it's a win-win. The Avalanche finally have consistent stability in net.
For Team Canada, having two in-form NHL goalies competing at a high level improves their depth, and gives Canada options as the Olympic roster approaches.
Between Wedgewood's steady reliability and Blackwood's proven upside, the Avalanche are thriving, and fans are reaping the benefits.
At the same time, Team Canada gains a boost, with two in-form NHL goalies providing depth and options as the 2026 Olympic roster takes shape. For both club and country, the goaltending situation has become a clear advantage.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 28 | 13 ANSWERS Avalanche goaltending drama takes new twist as Wedgewood and Blackwood chase career firsts Who deserves to start for Team Canada in goal at the upcoming Winter Olympics? | ||
| Wedgewood | 7 | 53.8 % |
| Blackwood | 1 | 7.7 % |
| Both | 5 | 38.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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