Wedgewood pulled – Scott Wedgewood’s Game 3 run ended early as Minnesota’s fast start and power-play success swung momentum after 3-0.
A stunning playoff rise ran into a sharp reality check in Game 3, with the Minnesota Wild turning an early push into a decisive momentum swing against Colorado.
Scott Wedgewood was pulled less than five minutes into the second period after the Wild added their third goal of the game on their 12th shot.. The timing mattered: Colorado had already weathered an aggressive start from Minnesota. but the early second-period strike forced the Avalanche into a quick goaltending decision.
Minnesota set the tone right from the opening period, beating Wedgewood with goals from Kirill Kaprizov and Quinn Hughes just 1:33 apart. That rapid two-goal burst put the Wild in control early and helped them open the game with the urgency of a team trying to avoid digging too deep in the series.
Colorado’s patience with Wedgewood defined the opening stretch of the second period. Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar kept him on the ice despite the early damage, and that choice held until the Wild found their footing on the power play.
Ryan Hartman tipped in a floating puck to extend Minnesota’s advantage on the power play, pushing the score to 3-0. Once the Wild capitalized in that moment, the Avalanche moved immediately, signaling that the game had become too risky to manage from behind with a rapidly shifting lead.
Mackenzie Blackwood took over in the Colorado crease following Wedgewood’s removal. It was the first time he had been called upon during these playoffs, a notable change given that he had served as the Avalanche’s starter in the team’s first-round loss in 2024-25.
The switch also highlighted how significant Wedgewood’s run had been up to that point. He entered Saturday’s Game 3 having allowed more than two goals only once across the Avalanche’s first six playoff games, underscoring why Bednar was willing to give him another chance early in the second.
Between the Avalanche’s sweep of the Los Angeles Kings and their wins over the Wild in Games 1 and 2, Wedgewood carried strong form. His entering numbers reflected that steadiness, with a playoff save percentage of .923 and a goals-against average of 2.12.
Colorado’s defensive story in the regular season added another layer to what made the Game 3 decision notable. Wedgewood and Blackwood were both recipients of the William M. Jennings Trophy, earned by backstopping the Avalanche to the fewest goals against in 2025-26.
Wedgewood’s workload and production during the regular season further explain why the early second-period pull was such a clear pivot point.. He posted a 31-6-6 record with a .921 save percentage and a 2.02 goals-against average over 45 contests. numbers that had helped fuel expectations that he could keep the series within Colorado’s reach.
Still. Game 3 made one thing clear: when the Wild came out fast and added a power-play strike. the margin for error narrowed dramatically.. The early goals from Kaprizov and Hughes set the stage. Hartman’s power-play finish widened the gap. and once Minnesota’s third arrived. Colorado’s coaching staff opted to reset with Blackwood in net.
Minnesota Wild Colorado Avalanche Scott Wedgewood Game 3 NHL playoffs Mackenzie Blackwood Kirill Kaprizov