Colorado Avalanche News

Colorado's de facto starting netminder to open the campaign, Wedgewood has thrived in Mackenzie Blackwood's absence, and he's making an argument to continue seeing substantial playing time even once Blackwood is cleared to return. Wedgewood is yet to be tagged with a regulation loss and leads the league with five wins across his six starts, while also posting an otherworldly .938 SV% and 1.48 GAA. He's a great bet to stay in the win column on Tuesday as the Avalanche enter action at -150 on the money line.

Scott Wedgewood has started Colorado's first six games of the 2025-26 season, but Blackwood appears to be nearing a return from a lower-body injury after being sent to the Colorado Eagles (AHL) on a conditioning loan at the beginning of last week. Wedgewood has played well to start the season, but the team will be eager to have the services of Blackwood back in their lineup after posting a 22-12-3 record last season, alongside a 2.33 GAA and .913 SV% last season after being acquired from San Jose.

Ahcan did not appear in an NHL game during his call-up. He returns to the AHL, where he has four points (1G / 3A) in two games this season.

Bardakov was a seventh round pick of the Devils in 2021 and was traded to the Avalanche last March for Kurtis MacDermid. The 24-year-old came to North America this year after five years in the KHL. Bardakov had 17 goals and 18 assists (35 points) in 53 games with St. Petersburg SKA last year.

Kiviranta will miss an expected period of time with a lower-body injury, opening the door for Zakhar Bardakov to make his NHL debut on Saturday.

Scott Wedgewood has started Colorado's first five games of the 2025-26 season, but Blackwood appears to be nearing a return from a lower-body injury after being sent to the Colorado Eagles (AHL) on a conditioning loan at the beginning of the week. Wedgewood has played well to start the season, but the team will be eager to have the services of Blackwood back in their lineup after posting a 22-12-3 record last season, alongside a 2.33 GAA and .913 SV% last season after being acquired from San Jose.

Mackenzie Blackwood is nearing his return, currently on a conditioning stint with the Colorado Eagles (AHL), but Wedgewood remains the option between the pipes for the Avalanche on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 33-year-old Wedgewood has been stellar, posting an impressive 1.72 GAA and .935 SV% in four games (3-0-1). Colorado is a -160 road favorite on Thursday against a Columbus team off to a 1-2-0 start.

Scott Wedgewood has started Colorado's first four games of the 2025-26 season, but Blackwood appears to be nearing a return from a lower-body injury after being sent to the Colorado Eagles (AHL) on a conditioning Loan on Monday. Wedgewood has played well to start the season, but the team will be eager to have the services of Blackwood back in their lineup after posting a 22-12-3 record last season, alongside a 2.33 GAA and .913 SV% last season after being acquired from San Jose.

Scott Wedgewood has started Colorado's first four games of the 2025-26 season, but Blackwood appears to be nearing a return from a lower-body injury after being sent to the Colorado Eagles (AHL) on a conditioning Loan. Wedgewood has played well to start the season, but the team will be eager to have the services of Blackwood back in their lineup after posting a 22-12-3 record last season, alongside a 2.33 GAA and .913 SV% last season after being acquired from San Jose.

An early afternoon contest in Buffalo on Monday will see Wedgewood start for the fourth time in the early season. The 33-year-old Wedgewood has been thrust into a starting position with Mackenzie Blackwood continuing to recover from a lower-body injury. Wedgewood has a 1.95 GAA and .925 SV% in three games this season (2-0-1) and is coming off his first loss of the campaign, where he allowed four goals on 22 shots (.818 SV%) in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars. Colorado enters Monday's contest as -174 road favorites against a Buffalo team that has been outscored 7-1 through two games this season (0-2-0).

Colorado has not released a concrete update on Mackenzie Blackwood's lower-body injury, but is comfortable rolling with Wedgewood between the pipes after a strong performance in their season-opening win over the Los Angeles Kings. The 33-year-old Wedgewood saved 24 of 25 shots (.960 SV%) in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Kings and will hope to replicate that performance on Thursday against the Utah Mammoth. Colorado enters Thursday's contest as -185 home favorites against a Utah team with some dangerous offensive pieces.

Ahcan was a healthy scratch for the Avalanche on Tuesday and will return to the AHL. The 28-year-old undrafted defenseman was called up for two games with the Avalanche last season but failed to make much of an impact. In 69 games with the Colorado Eagles (AHL) last season, he had an impressive five goals and 41 points.

With Mackenzie Blackwood (lower body) sidelined to start the 2025-26 season, Colorado will turn to Wedgewood between the pipes for their season opener on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 33-year-old Wedgewood played well in a supporting role after being acquired by Colorado early last season, posting a solid 1.99 GAA and .917 SV% in 19 appearances (13-4-1). Colorado enters Tuesday's contest as -109 road favorites against Los Angeles. Expect Colorado's crease to be exclusively occupied by Wedgewood until Blackwood returns from injury.

Blackwood was on the ice Monday but won’t travel with the team for their one-game trip to Los Angeles. With him unavailable, expect Scott Wedgewood to start and Trent Miner to serve as backup. Blackwood’s status for Thursday’s home opener vs. Utah is also in doubt, though his participation in Monday’s practice is an encouraging sign that the injury isn’t long-term.

Girard missed almost all of the preseason, but made his debut in Colorado's finale on Saturday. This is a good sign that Girard will be available for their season opener, but Colorado also waived two defensemen on Sunday, furthering the belief that Girard is good-to-go for Tuesday.