Avalanche’s Scott Wedgewood sidelined at least week-to-week after suffering injury

Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar confirmed Friday that Scott Wedgewood will be sidelined for at least a week, according to Meghan Angley of Guerilla Sports.

The veteran netminder left early in the third period of Thursday’s contest versus the Buffalo Sabres after a collision in the crease involving teammate Parker Kelly and opposing forward Zach Benson. Despite Wedgewood’s early departure, the Avalanche held on for a 6-5 overtime decision.

Acquired from the Nashville Predators in late November, Wedgewood has made seven appearances with the Avalanche this season in which he has posted a 4-2-0 record alongside a .917 save percentage and 2.35 goals-against average. Per PuckPedia, Wedgewood is in the first year of a two-year pact that carries a $1.5-million annual average value.

A veteran of 142 career contests, Wedgewood has previously seen two separate stops with both the New Jersey Devils and the former Arizona Coyotes, as well as the Dallas Stars and Predators. In all, the the 32-year-old native of Brampton, Ont., owns a 53-52-23 career record with a .905 save percentage and 2.97 goals-against average. Wedgewood was originally chosen 84th overall by the Devils in the 2010 NHL Draft.

In Wedgewood’s absence, the Avalanche will turn to new addition Mackenzie Blackwood, added from the San Jose Sharks last month. Since arriving in Denver, Blackwood has found the win column six times through seven appearances while posting a .932 save percentage with a 1.93 goals-against average. A strong early performance with his new club helped Blackwood land a contract extension, as the Avalanche announced his new five-year, $5.25-million per year deal last Friday.

Riding a six-game win streak, the Avalanche have climbed to third place in the Central Division with a 24-15-0 showing and 48 points. The club will look to push its win streak to seven straight when it takes on the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday.