Colorado Avalanche News

The Avalanche have lost two straight and hope to return to the win column on Friday, with Blackwood tending the twine against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Blackwood has been far from spectacular this season, but Head Coach Jared Bednar has leaned on him more than counterpart Scott Wedgewood. The 29-year-old Blackwood has a 2.90 GAA and .889 SV% in seven games (4-3-0). Colorado enters Friday's contest as -122 home favourites against a Tampa Bay Lightning team on a 7-1-0 run.

Makar made his NHL debut last season, going without a point in 12 games. The 25-year-old has been more productive at the AHL level, where he has four points (3G / 1A) in six games with the Eagles this season.

Brindley played a key role for the Avalanche last season, appearing in 56 games and scoring 13 points (6G / 7A). This season, the 22-year-old forward has been back and forth from the AHL. He has one assist in four games with the Avalanche.

Wedgewood's tremendous 2025-26 season, posting a 2.02 GAA and .921 SV% in 45 appearances (31-6-6), should at least earn him a near timeshare by season's end, but Colorado has leaned heavily on Mackenzie Blackwood to start the 2026-27 season. That said, Wedgewood will tend the twine on Tuesday in the tail end of a back-to-back, his third start in 10 games this season. The 34-year-old Wedgewood has a 2.40 GAA and .902 SV% in two games (1-0-1). Colorado enters Tuesday's action as slight +100 road underdogs against a New Jersey Devils team coming off a 4-2 loss to the Washington Capitals.

Despite some inconsistent play from Blackwood, Colorado will continue to roll with him as their go-to goalie early in the 2026-27 season, turning to him for the seventh time in their first nine games. Inconsistencies aside, Blackwood has played well in his last two games (2-0-0), saving 54 of 58 shots (.931 SV%). He has a 2.86 GAA and .891 SV% in six games (4-2-0). The Avalanche enter Monday's contest as significant -236 road favourites against a struggling Philadelphia Flyers team that has scored only 14 goals in its first 10 games (1-6-3).

O'Connor has yet to play this season, but should make his debut on Friday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 30-year-old is entering his eighth season in Colorado after only managing to appear in 13 games last season due to a hip injury.

Despite some inconsistent play from Blackwood, Colorado will continue to roll with him as their go-to goalie early in the 2026-27 season, turning to him for the seventh time in their first nine games. Inconsistencies aside, Blackwood has played well in his last two games (2-0-0), saving 54 of 58 shots (.931 SV%). He has a 2.86 GAA and .891 SV% in six games (4-2-0). The Avalanche enter Monday's contest as significant -236 road favourites against a struggling Philadelphia Flyers team that has scored only 14 goals in its first 10 games (1-6-3).

Colorado Head Coach Jared Bednar has favoured Mackenzie Blackwood early in the 2026-27 season despite some up-and-down outings. That said, the 29-year-old goalie was solid in his most recent outing, saving 24 of 26 shots (.923 SV%) in a 3-2 win over the Dallas Stars. He has a 3.04 GAA and .879 SV% in five games this season (3-2-0). Colorado enters Friday's contest as sizeable -201 home favourites against a 3-3-1 Pittsburgh Penguins team.

Surprisingly, Colorado hasn't leaned on Scott Wedgewood much this season and has relied on Blackwood between the pipes in five of their first six games. Wedgewood's tremendous 2025-26 season, posting a 2.02 GAA and .921 SV% in 45 appearances (31-6-6), should at least earn him close to a timeshare by season's end, even if the team is showing early-season favour for Blackwood. The 34-year-old Wedgewood saved 26 of 29 shots (.897 SV%) in his only game this season, a 7-3 win over the Calgary Flames. Colorado enters Wednesday's contest as -131 home favourites against a Dallas Stars team they defeated 3-2 yesterday.

Surprisingly, Colorado hasn't leaned on Scott Wedgewood much this season and has relied on Blackwood between the pipes in five of their first six games. Wedgewood's tremendous 2025-26 season, posting a 2.02 GAA and .921 SV% in 45 appearances (31-6-6), should at least earn him close to a timeshare by season's end, even if the team is showing early-season favour for Blackwood. The 34-year-old Wedgewood saved 26 of 29 shots (.897 SV%) in his only game this season, a 7-3 win over the Calgary Flames. Colorado enters Wednesday's contest as -131 home favourites against a Dallas Stars team they defeated 3-2 yesterday.

Cale Makar (personal) will not play on Tuesday, allowing Juulsen to re-enter the lineup. The 29-year-old Juulsen is averaging 12:55 time-on-ice and has one assist in three games this season.

Cale Makar is tending to a personal matter and will not play on Tuesday, and it is unclear if his status will change for Wednesday's game. The 27-year-old Makar is off to another strong start, scoring seven points (3G / 4A) in five games this season. Noah Juulsen will draw into Colorado's lineup as Makar's replacement.

Colorado Head Coach Jared Bednar criticized Blackwood after a 6-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs for failing to make a timely save, but he will turn to him again on Tuesday against the Dallas Stars. Surprisingly, Blackwood has started four of five games for Colorado this season, going 2-2-0, posting a 3.30 GAA and .867 SV%.