Avalanche’s Scott Wedgewood joins exclusive club after Game 1 gem vs. Kings

Starting Game 1 of the Western Conference First Round on Sunday, Scott Wedgewood backstopped the Colorado Avalanche with 24 saves on 25 shots in a 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings at Ball Arena.

Wedgewood (33 years, 248 days) became the third-oldest goalie in NHL history to win his first career playoff start, joining Curtis McElhinney (35 years, 343 days in 2019) and Les Binkley (35 years, 306 days in 1970).

After a regular season that saw him go 31-6-6 with a 2.02 goals-against average, a .921 save percentage, and four shutouts in 45 games (43 starts), Wedgewood carried his form into the postseason. With only four previous playoff appearances, three with the Dallas Stars in 2022-23 and a short relief outing for Colorado last season, he settled in well in his first start.

Offensively, Artturi Lehkonen and Logan O’Connor scored for the Avalanche, while Nathan MacKinnon contributed an assist. Lehkonen opened the scoring at 15:29 of the second period, converting a rebound from MacKinnon’s shot. O’Connor later made it 2-0 at 5:50 of the third period, beating defenders with speed before finishing with a wrist shot.

The game remained scoreless for over 35 minutes, with Wedgewood making 17 saves through two periods, including several high-danger stops. A potential first-period goal by O’Connor was overturned due to goaltender interference involving Jack Drury and Kings goalie Anton Forsberg. Colorado’s failed challenge gave Los Angeles a power play, but the Avalanche successfully killed the penalty.

Artemi Panarin scored the Kings’ only goal on a power play at 17:38 of the third period, cutting the deficit to 2-1. However, Los Angeles failed to generate a tying chance in the final minutes, even after pulling Forsberg, who finished with 28 saves in his playoff debut.

The Avalanche, who entered the postseason as Presidents’ Trophy winners and the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, will take a 1-0 series lead into Game 2 on Tuesday night at Ball Arena.

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