Did the Avalanche just prove they're better off without Mackenzie Blackwood?
Photo credit: The Hockey News
The Avalanche once again proved they don't need Mackenzie Blackwood, as Scott Wedgewood stole the spotlight in Thursday's 2-1 home win over the Utah Mammoth with another stellar performance between the pipes.
The Avalanche delivered an up-and-down performance through the first two periods of their home opener on Thursday night, but found their rhythm just in time to turn things around.
Avalanche start the season 2-0 thanks to goaltender Scott Wedgewood.
Will Petersen from Denver Sports writes that after a shaky second period, the Avalanche quickly regrouped in the third against the Utah Mammoth.
Nathan MacKinnon took matters into his own hands, reminding everyone why he's considered one of the best players on the planet by ripping a power-play goal to put Colorado ahead 2-1 with just under 17 minutes remaining.
"That proved to be enough, as the Avalanche held on for a victory by the same score and improved to 2-0-0 on the young season. Goaltender Scott Wedgewood was excellent, much like he was in Los Angeles to open the season, making 31 saves in the win." -Petersen
The second period was rough for the Avalanche, who mustered just four shots on goal and didn't record their first until more than 14 minutes into the frame.
Despite having two power plays, they failed to capitalize on either, struggling to create any real scoring opportunities. It could've been a much bigger talking point had MacKinnon not come to the rescue.
"Wedgewood also made two phenomenal saves to keep Colorado up 1-0. He robbed Utah's Dylan Guenther on a breakaway, but Guenther got his revenge moments later, scoring on the power play for the Mammoth to make it 1-1. That's where things stood entering the third." -Petersen
The game hung in the balance after two periods, and while it certainly wasn't Colorado's most polished effort, the Avalanche found a way to get the job done.
Up next is a small shot at redemption for the Avalanche, as they host the Dallas Stars on Saturday night at Ball Arena.
The matchup carries extra weight, with Dallas having eliminated Colorado from the playoffs in each of the past two seasons, including a crushing Game 7 defeat last spring.
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