Colorado Avalanche fans have watched superstars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar light up the scoreboard, but it's the steady glove and poised feet of Scott Wedgewood that have kept this team humming at an elite level through December.
Wedgewood, the 33-year-old netminder drafted 84th overall in 2010 by the New Jersey Devils, has become the Avalanche's most unexpected difference maker this season.
While MacKinnon and Makar deliver highlight goals and slick passes, Wedgewood quietly anchors a defense that's giving up just 80 goals in 36 games. Colorado sits at a staggering 27-2-7, tied with some of the franchise's best starts ever.
Wedgewood's poise fuels Avalanche dominance
Jacob Punturi from Breakaway On Si writes that he didn't start the season as Colorado's assumed No. 1, but when Mackenzie Blackwood missed time early, Wedgewood didn't just fill the crease, he owned it. Through 23 games, he's posted a record like few in Avalanche history, with an immaculate goals-against average hovering around 2.01 and a save percentage north of .920, both marks placing him among the NHL's elite this season.
Every team needs its unsung hero, and in Denver that's Wedgewood.
He's been far more than a "backup"; he's staked his claim as a bona-fide co-starter and stolen games with calm positioning and timely saves. His recent 32-save shutout against the Utah Mammoth showcased his confidence under pressure and illustrated just how critical he's been to the Avalanche maintaining momentum before the holiday break.
There's a fan perception taking shape that Wedgewood's presence has been the secret sauce in Denver's mix. Long-time followers know production wins games, but consistency in net allows a high-octane offense to breathe. Without his timely glove saves and cool head in tight games, Colorado's eight-plus game winning streaks might look very different.
Wedgewood's journey from journeyman to central piece of a contender is the kind of story that resonates in a locker room. He's made saves that don't always show up on highlight reels, but they show up in standings and point totals.
As the Avalanche push toward the New Year, the press box buzz isn't just about MacKinnon's goal streak or Makar's power-play wizardry. It's about how a veteran goalie with a modest contract can elevate a team's ceiling. In a season where every point feels precious, Wedgewood's calm under fire lets Colorado play with confidence.
Expect his name to keep cropping up alongside the big scorers as the Avalanche chase history.