Colorado opened December on a 23-2-7 tear — a 136-point pace — powered not only by Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar but by steady Avalanche goaltending that has quietly tilted NHL December matchups in Denver’s favor.
Through early December the Avalanche outscored opponents by +1.8 goals per 60 and led the league in expected goal differential (+1.2 per 60), while Scott Wedgewood (91.7% save rate; +10.5 GSAx) and Mackenzie Blackwood (91.9% save rate; +7.4 GSAx) provided the tandem depth behind that surge. Those numbers from Natural Stat Trick and Evolving Hockey underline how goaltending impact can mask special teams weakness and preserve elite regular-season pace.
Across the league, compressed December standings and frequent overtime decisions have amplified the value of timely saves. NHL.com’s Super 16 noted Wedgewood’s breakout starter run and flagged several surprise netminders whose performances altered expectations and tightened playoff races.
Chicago offers a clear contrast: Spencer Knight and Arvid Söderblom have delivered high-work starts and 45-plus save nights, stabilizing a young roster and highlighting how single-game brilliance can swing points in close NHL December matchups.
Key Takeaways
- Elite and surprise goaltending has a measurable goaltending impact on December standings.
- Avalanche goaltending has complemented top-line talent to sustain a dominant start.
- Tandems like Wedgewood and Blackwood can mask team weaknesses and secure wins.
- High-save performances from Chicago’s netminders demonstrate the swing potential in tight games.
- NHL December matchups are increasingly decided by goaltending during overtime and low-margin results.
ice hockey goaltending impact on close December games
December NHL parity made tight games more common than in a typical month. Teams across divisions sat within a few points of each other, and an uptick in overtime games compressed standings further. That environment raised the value of late-game saves and put greater emphasis on the netminder’s role in short margins.
Trend overview: December’s surge in tight, low-margin results
Many matchups in December finished decided by one goal or in extra time. Colorado’s exceptional 23-2-7 record stood out as an outlier amid league-wide balance. That contrast highlighted how a hot or cold streak from a single goalie can shift outcomes in close contests.
Statistical influence of goaltenders on team success
Advanced metrics show measurable effects on team results. Goals saved above expected, or GSAx, tracks deviation from expected goals allowed and captures true netminder influence. Save percentage swings across short stretches can equal several goals over a week, tilting tight games and the standings.
Using a four-season sample, average year-over-year GSAx/60 delta equaled roughly 0.361, which translates into notable goal differences across a season. Some goalies drove consistency while others produced wild swings that influenced single-game and multi-game stretches.
For deeper context on volatility and long-run trends, consider this analysis on goalie variance and team-adjusted metrics examining GSAx patterns.
Goaltending depth and surprise contributors
Tandem structures and depth saves rosters from slumps or injuries. Chicago’s netminder pairing provided multiple high-save outings that steadied late-game performance. Backup and waiver pickups also altered trajectories.
- Brandon Bussi stabilized Carolina after a claim, delivering a strong short-term record and reliable starts.
- Akira Schmid stepped into Vegas’ top role after an injury and supplied key wins and shutouts.
- Jesper Wallstedt gave Minnesota a high-save stretch that helped avoid collapses in tight matches.
These surprise contributors amplified the ice hockey goaltending impact in December. When a team receives above-average stopping from unexpected sources, GSAx moves and save percentage swings can provide enough edge to win overtime games and preserve parity-packed positioning.
Team case studies: netminder performances that swung December matchups
December produced tight finishes that hinged on single saves and hot streaks in goal. These team case studies goaltending examples show how reliable netminders and surprise starters changed game outcomes and standings movement across the league.
Colorado Avalanche: tandem stability underpinning elite regular-season pace
Avalanche goaltending steadied a lineup that started at a near-136-point pace. Scott Wedgewood and Mackenzie Blackwood combined to limit variance in close games.
Wedgewood offered a strong save percentage and impactful goals saved above expected. Blackwood added consistent net coverage that allowed top scorers to press offensively without overcompensating defensively.
Chicago Blackhawks: emerging duo providing stability amid roster youth
Spencer Knight and Arvid Soderblom formed a tandem that kept many contests winnable for Chicago. Knight logged around 20 starts and ranked highly on key metrics in early December.
Soderblom produced several huge-save nights, including a 46-save outing. Their combined work helped the roster through slumps and preserved development opportunities for young forwards.
Vegas Golden Knights and other surprise goalies influencing standings
Akira Schmid stepped into the starter role after an injury and delivered a string of wins that kept Vegas competitive. That stretch altered opponent game plans and bought time for roster decisions.
Brandon Bussi converted from depth goalie to short-term stabilizer with a strong run of starts. These emergent netminders shifted outcomes, forcing teams to reassess depth charts and immediate expectations.
- Midseason netminder bursts can turn potential losses into points.
- Trust between goalie partners improves execution on tight defensive possessions.
- Surprise starters create short-term momentum swings that ripple through the standings.
How goaltending performance informs strategy, trades, and playoff outlooks
December goalie performance shifts in-game tactics and roster choices. Coaches who trust a hot netminder shorten benches to protect leads or roll four lines to sustain pressure. When a goalie struggles, teams chase offense and tweak special teams usage to compensate, which makes defensive zone-start adjustments and shot-suppression schemes more common late in the month.
Front offices use those same December signals when assessing trade deadline goaltenders and goalie market value. Strong month-long stretches from players such as Jesper Wallstedt or prospects like Brandon Bussi move a club from seller to buyer mentality. Teams that lack depth will pursue a stopgap veteran or trade assets to secure greater stability in net.
Metrics underpin forecasted playoff outlooks. High save percentages, positive GSAx, and solid high-danger save rates in December correlate with better standing retention and improved wild-card positioning. Clubs with sustained elite netminding, exemplified by tandem systems in Colorado, are likelier to sustain runs; regression or injury can erase gains quickly.
Data tools and scouting combined guide practical decisions for U.S. audiences and NHL decision-makers. The Advanced Bracton Family of Metrics integrates goaltending analytics into a central sheet, helping evaluate prospects and trade scenarios and informing goaltending strategy around December matchups. For deeper methodology and examples, see the Advanced Bracton framework at Advanced Bracton Score and HockeyFreeForAll.
