In stunning fashion, the Colorado Avalanche now face the daunting task of having to become just the third NHL team since 2010 to win four straight Stanley Cup Playoff games to avoid elimination.
The Avalanche, who are in the Western Conference Final against the Vegas Golden Knights, trail three games to none in the series, which began with a series of losses on home ice at Ball Arena in Denver. They were without star defenseman Cale Makar for those two games, but they welcomed him back to the lineup for Game 3, which began as positively as they could have hoped with a 3-0 first period lead.
However, the Golden Knights stunned the Avalanche with five unanswered goals, winning the game 5-3 and taking a commanding stranglehold in the series. And now, Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar is making one particular adjustment at a key position, while also clarifying the status of Nathan MacKinnon, who was shaken up in Game 3 after blocking a shot with his knee.
The Colorado Avalanche Are Making A Goaltending Change For Game 4 Against The Golden Knights
The Avalanche have announced that goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood is returning to the net for Game 4, which will be played from T-Mobile Arena on Tuesday evening, replacing Scott Wedgewood.
With nothing to lose and in desperate need of a spark, it’s a logical move for the club to make.
“We have nothing to lose and this series is the first time he’s entering it, and it’s not like we’re putting the weight of the series on Mackenzie,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said on Tuesday morning. “I think that Mackenzie is the type of guy and goalie that plays better when he’s loose and confident and he’s been doing the work to make sure he’s ready and prepared.”
So far in the series, Wedgewood has gone 0-3 with a 3.16 goals against average and .877 save percentage.
Blackwood last played in the playoffs for the Avalanche in Game 5 of their second round series win over the Minnesota Wild.
“We have the utmost confidence,” Makar said of their goaltending. “The way they handled the entire year together and early on in these playoffs too. For us regardless of who is in, they’re going to do an amazing job and the best they possibly can. I have the utmost faith in (Blackwood) and he’s a gamer.”
Nathan MacKinnon Will Play In Game 4
Meanwhile, Bednar confirmed that star Nathan MacKinnon, who was injured in Game 3 after blocking a shot off his knee, will play Game 4.
MacKinnon missed several shifts after his injury, and only re-appeared on the Avalanche power play and late in the game as they were desperately trying to knot the score.
One of the top forwards in the game of hockey today, MacKinnon scored 53 goals while adding 74 assists during the regular season, and so far in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, has scored seven goals with eight assists in 12 games.
Game 4 between the Golden Knights and Avalanche is scheduled to begin at 9:00 p.m. ET. If Vegas wins, they’ll advance to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2023.
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