The Colorado Avalanche are again Stanley Cup contenders in 2024-25 -- but they should move on from this player ahead of the deadline.

Scott Wedgewood won his first start back since suffering a lower-body injury on Jan. 2. He made 26 saves on 29 shots in the 6-3 win against the Dallas Stars on Saturday afternoon. “Obviously, don’t want to let the first one in.

Artturi Lehkonen had two goals and two assists, Cale Makar also scored twice and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Dallas Stars 6-3.

Instead, the Avs operated with the urgency of Eeyore. And the crowd wasn’t exactly buzzing either. For long stretches, the only sound was sticks clicking the ice. Close your eyes and it was hard to tell if this was Ball Arena or a Family Sports Center practice.

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But Colorado’s NHL team has long had a reputation for being a quiet bunch in the locker room, even when this group reached the top of the mountain in 2022. The 2024-25 edition started the season slow, bogged down by injuries and poor goaltending. It weighed on everyone. A generally quiet room seemed even more so at times.

On Sunday, the team activated Wedgewood from injured reserve, which puts him back on the active roster. To make room, they sent Trent Miner back to the Colorado Eagles. Miner started one game in Wedgewood's absence, taking the loss last week against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Wedgewood is expected to start at home against Dallas on Saturday, Avalanche play-by-play announcer Conor McGahey reports.

The big Russian, who hasn't played a game in 2025, was originally listed as day-to-day and only expected to miss 7-10 days. He's well past that timeline, and it doesn't sound like Nichushkin will be back in the immediate future.

Cale Makar shook off a puck to the skate to score twice, Artturi Lehkonen had two goals and two assists to tie a career high for points, and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Dallas Stars 6-3 in Denver on Saturday.

Wedgewood (lower body) was activated from injured reserve Sunday. Wedgewood is slated to rejoin the Avs after missing five games with a lower-body injury. The veteran netminder figures to return to a backup role behind Mackenzie Blackwood.

The Colorado Avalanche have activated goaltender Scott Wedgewood from injured reserve. Wedgewood was hurt after a Buffalo Sabres player fell on his right leg following a collision in front of the net.