The Colorado Avalanche are expected to turn to Scott Wedgewood in net when they face the New Jersey Devils on the second night of a back-to-back. Colorado traveled east after losing in Philadelphia the previous night, making this a short-rest test as the club tries to finish a quick two-game road trip on a better note.
The move points to the reality of a busy early-season schedule. Colorado is managing a quick turnaround while also trying to keep its rotation steady, and Wedgewood is the expected answer against a Devils team that has shown some early promise while still dealing with goaltending concerns.
A quick look at both teams
The Avalanche enter the game with a 4-4 start and a -2 goal differential, a sign that their results have been close but not always consistent. Colorado has already shown it can stay competitive, but the team is still looking for more rhythm as the season settles in.
New Jersey arrives after losing to the Washington Capitals on Saturday afternoon. The Devils have produced strong analytics early on, but the goaltending has been a concern. That combination has made them a difficult team to project from night to night, even with some encouraging underlying numbers.
What Colorado is managing
Colorado’s challenge is not just the opponent. It is the setting. The Avalanche are playing on short rest after the Philadelphia game, and that usually forces a team to make at least one adjustment in the lineup or in net. In this case, the expected change is Wedgewood getting the start against New Jersey.
That decision matters because the Avalanche are still trying to stabilize their early-season form. Their offense has been capable enough to keep games within reach, but the margin for error gets smaller on a back-to-back, especially against a Devils team that can create chances in waves.
For Colorado, the goal is simple: survive the travel, get solid goaltending, and give the rest of the roster a chance to build on what has been a mixed opening stretch. For New Jersey, it is another opportunity to take advantage of a tired opponent and push its own start in the right direction.
