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Trent Miner Earns Second Start as Avalanche Face Red-Hot Maple Leafs
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- Trent Miner Earns Second Start as Avalanche Face Red-Hot Maple Leafs
After becoming the 17th goalie in NHL history to record a shutout in his first win, Trent Miner has earned the trust of Jared Bednar and an additional start.
Miner shut out the Columbus Blue Jackets in a 4–0 win at Ball Arena on Saturday. The 24-year-old entered the contest with an 0-1-2 record over parts of two seasons. Bednar told reporters that Scott Wedgewood is dealing with an injury but is healthy enough to dress and will back up Miner, while Mackenzie Blackwood remains sidelined as he continues to recover from a lower-body injury.
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Through 10 games with the Colorado Eagles this season, Miner has posted a 2.40 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage.
Together, Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood have emerged as one of the league's top goaltending duos, serving as a key factor behind the Avalanche's remarkable 33-4-7 start to the season.
This marks the second time Miner has been called upon to replace Blackwood this season after Blackwood opened the year on injured reserve following offseason surgery to address a lower-body injury. It remains unclear whether the current issue is related. Miner previously appeared in two games for Colorado, stopping 40 of the 44 shots he faced, though both outings resulted in losses—one in a shootout and the other in overtime.
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Miner Will Be Tested
But unlike the Blue Jackets, ranked dead last in the Metropolitan Division, the Leafs are 7-0-2 in their last nine games. Auston Matthews has six goals and two assists in his last five games.
Toronto also has Joseph Woll in net. The 27-year-old has been red hot, posting a 5-0-1 record over his last six decisions. Woll is coming off a shutout of the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday, following a strong showing against the Florida Panthers in which he stopped 32 of 33 shots. On the season, Woll owns a .921 save percentage, ranking fourth in the NHL and narrowly trailing Mackenzie Blackwood's .924 mark.
Even more impressive has been William Nylander 's influence on the Maple Leafs when he's in the lineup. Despite missing 10 games, he still leads the team with 44 points. Nylander returned against the Canucks and posted a three-point night, continuing what has clearly been the strongest season of his career to date.
Game Night!
Is Miner ready for the test? We'll find out tonight. Coverage begins at 8 p.m. local time.
