DENVER — Scott Wedgewood is slated to start tonight as the NHL’s top team faces off against J.T. Miller and the New York Rangers.

The Era of Wedgewood

The 33-year-old netminder, who recently secured a one-year, $2.5 million contract extension through the 2026–27 season, has won six consecutive games. He boasts a 2.17 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage across 15 appearances this season. At this juncture, it’s fair to assert that Wedgewood has effectively assumed the starting role from Mackenzie Blackwood, who, after offseason surgery to repair a lower-body injury, has struggled to regain his prior form. Meanwhile, Wedgewood, originally selected 84th overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils, is performing at career-best levels.

Wedgewood was acquired by the Avalanche a year ago, on November 30, when the Nashville Predators traded him for backup goaltender Justus Annunen and a 2025 sixth-round pick. Once he took the ice for Colorado, Wedgewood was outstanding, posting a 13-4-1 record with a 1.99 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage.

Last season, Colorado was desperate for goaltending help for most of the season out of the gate after starting the season 0-4 after Alexandar Georgiev and Annunen struggled to find their form. Less than a year later, the Avalanche are back on top of the NHL, but there's still a long way to go.

But Wedgewood has handled his rise to stardom with humility and grace, crediting the team more than his own effort.

"We landed a one-two punch here," he stated after their most recent win over the New York Islanders. "Just awesome. When we give stuff up, it's not a blatant breakdown; they're going to have to get a shot, they have the man advantage. And when you can keep them in a situation where I don't have to overly rotate or get completely backsided, it's a lot easier to make those saves.

"We're aggressive at the right time; we jump at the right time, we move as a unit. And that frustrates teams. You got to get yourself in a good position."

Game Time

Don't miss the Avalanche (13-1-5) take on the Rangers (10-9-3) tonight at Ball Arena. Coverage begins at 7 p.m. local time.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.