CENNTENIAL, Colo. — The Colorado Avalanche held an optional practice on Monday morning where only a handful of players skated. Both goaltenders were on the ice, but there was one thing that stood out. Scott Wedgewood was the goaltender who left early. Mackenzie Blackwood stayed for an extended time and took more shots with Ross Colton. This would usually be a big indicator that Wedgewood will, once again, be the starter for Game Two against the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday.

Typically, when a goaltender stays out later, that shows that they are the healthy scratch for the game. Wedgewood played a fantastic game on Sunday in his first Stanley Cup Playoff start. He allowed only one goal in 25 shots with a .960 save percentage. Wedgewood carried over his strong goaltending from the regular season.

As for the other players on the ice during practice, Brock Nelson was the only forward from the top-six to be on the ice. Ross Colton, Jack Drury, Nic Roy, Josh Manson, Brent Burns, and Nick Blankenburg were the only ones out on the ice Monday.

Other goaltender news

The Avalanche called-up Isak Posch on Sunday as the third goaltender during their playoff game. NHL teams no longer have an emergency backup role, and must carry a third goaltender. The Colorado Eagles consider Trent Miner their starter; Posch was the only option to send to Denver. It is very unlikely that he will see any action with the Avalanche, but is there just in case.

To fill the backup role for the Eagles with Kyle Keyser being injured, they needed to sign former Avalanche and Eagle goaltender Hunter Miska to a professional tryout. Miska had been playing for the ECHL Utah Grizzlies this season and finished with a 7–5–3 record. He previously played for the Avalanche and Eagles from 2019 to 2022, serving as the backup for both teams.