Mackenzie Blackwood Colorado Avalanche sidelined with lower-body injury, Wedgewood takes over crucial road trip

Mackenzie Blackwood Colorado Avalanche star goaltender is sidelined with a lower-body injury. The Avalanche placed their elite netminder on injured reserve Friday. Scott Wedgewood takes over starter duties on a crucial three-game road trip.

Blackwood’s Elite Run Ends With Injury

The 29-year-old goaltender was performing at an elite level before the injury struck. Blackwood posted a 13-1-1 record with a league-leading 2.07 goals-against average and an impressive .924 save percentage through 16 games this season.

He powered the Avalanche to a remarkable 30-2-7 record in tandem with Scott Wedgewood, forming one of hockey’s strongest goalie pairings. Blackwood’s last appearance came on December 31, 2025, when he led Colorado to a dominant 6-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues.

The injury marks his second stint on injured reserve this season after beginning the campaign recovering from offseason surgery on a lower-body issue. Blackwood missed training camp and the start of the regular season but had returned to elite form since his return.

Backup Goalie Trent Miner Steps Up

Goaltender	Role	Record/Stats
Scott Wedgewood	Expected Starter	TBA (Road Trip)
Trent Miner	Backup (Recalled)	0-0-2 (NHL), 2.40 GAA (AHL)
Mackenzie Blackwood	Out (IR)	13-1-1, .924 SV%

Trent Miner, a 24-year-old goaltender, was recalled from the Colorado Eagles of the AHL to provide backup support. Miner made two appearances this season with the Avalanche earlier when Blackwood began the year sidelined, stopping 40 of 44 shots in those contests.

In his AHL work with the Eagles this season, Miner has compiled a solid 7-2 record with a 2.40 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage across 10 games. The backup role means Scott Wedgewood will shoulder the primary workload once again, similar to his role earlier this season.

Taylor Makar Recalled in Support Move

The Avalanche also recalled Taylor Makar, the younger brother of elite defenseman Cale Makar, from the Colorado Eagles. The 24-year-old forward has appeared four times at the NHL level this season without establishing consistent playing time.

Makar recorded six goals and four assists for 10 points in 26 AHL games with the Eagles this season. He was a seventh-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft and signed an entry-level contract running through the 2025-26 season.

Meanwhile, his older brother Cale Makar continues his dominant defensive season with 12 goals and 33 assists for 45 points in 39 games, leading the Avalanche blue line this year.

Critical Road Trip Ahead Without Blackwood

The Avalanche face a pivotal three-game road trip beginning Saturday against the Carolina Hurricanes at 7:00 PM EST at Lenovo Center. Colorado will then travel to Florida for consecutive matchups against the reigning Stanley Cup champion Panthers on January 4 and the Tampa Bay Lightning on January 6.

Without Blackwood’s elite play, the team’s goaltending depth will be tested against quality opponents. Scott Wedgewood must continue his strong play from earlier in the season when he emerged as one of the NHL’s top performers during Blackwood’s initial absence.

Colorado’s general manager will need to monitor Blackwood’s recovery closely, with the goaltender scheduled for re-evaluation after the road trip concludes. The injury timeline remains uncertain, but the team is already preparing contingencies for extended coverage.

Will Wedgewood and Miner Be Enough Against Tough Competition?

The Hurricanes, Panthers, and Lightning represent a formidable challenge without Blackwood anchoring the crease. Wedgewood’s recent resume suggests Colorado has quality depth, but the loss of an elite .924 save percentage goaltender cannot be overlooked.

The Avalanche’s league-leading defense and 30-2-7 record provides confidence, but three consecutive road games against playoff-caliber opponents without their top goaltender will test this team’s mettle heading into the stretch run.