Injuries haven’t been a major issue for the deep Avalanche lineup this season. But Tuesday could be shaping up to be an all-around great day for Colorado on that front, as it welcomes back goalie Scott Wedgewood from an upper-body injury.
Gavin Brindley might also return to the lineup, although that is yet to be determined.
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Wedgewood was hurt at Ball Arena last week, right before the Avs began their four-game road trip. He exited a 1-1 tie against the Vancouver Canucks and was replaced by Mackenzie Blackwood, who won that game and went on to start the first three games of the road trip.
The injury pull was more precautionary, according to head coach Jared Bednar, who said at the time that it was Wedgewood’s back. Wedgewood led the NHL with 13 wins at the time, and is now tied with Logan Thompson in second place — one back of Dallas goalie Jake Oettinger.
Amid a career-best start, Wedgewood is also in the running to make Team Canada’s Olympic squad. Rosters are due at the end of the month, and Wedgewood’s minor injury could’ve possibly hurt his chances had it kept him out longer.
There’s no guarantee he makes the team quite yet, as Jordan Binnington, Logan Thompson, and Darcy Kuemper are also rumored to be in the running for those three spots. How Wedgewood plays tonight and moving forward might help make that decision for Team Canada’s brass.
Bednar told reporters that Martin Necas is under the weather and did not participate in morning skate. If Necas is not ready for the late 7:52 p.m. MT puck drop, Brindley could be an option to replace him. Brindley has not played since Nov. 20.
If Necas plays, and if Brindley is still available, it’s unclear if he’ll get into the game and who he would replace if he does.
The Avs close out their road trip in Nashville tonight, where they’ve already gotten one shutout victory back on Nov. 22. It’s the second of four meetings against the worst team in the NHL. They’ll also play Saturday at Ball Arena before closing out the season series on Jan. 16 in Denver.
