Colorado Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood started Game 4 against the Minnesota Wild on Monday.
Additionally, Artturi Lehkonen and Sam Malinski were ruled out with upper-body injuries, while Joel Kiviranta and Josh Manson both returned to the lineup for the first time since getting hurt in Round 1. Jack Ahcan also drew in for Nick Blankenburg.
Round 2️⃣ Game 4️⃣ pic.twitter.com/tcaAGzaNG6
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) May 12, 2026
Scott Wedgewood started each of Colorado's previous playoff games this spring, going 6-1 with a .911 save percentage. He was pulled in Saturday's Game 3 after allowing three goals on 12 shots. Blackwood stopped 12 of 13 shots faced in relief.
After a dominant Round 1, Wedgewood has struggled against the Wild. He's allowed 11 goals in two-plus games and posted an .861 save percentage.
Wedgewood was the Avalanche's No. 1 goalie during the regular season, winning a career-high 31 contests while leading the league with a .921 save percentage and 2.02 goals against average. His breakout campaign helped Colorado claim the Presidents' Trophy.
Blackwood had a .904 save percentage in 39 appearances this season. He was Colorado's starter in last year's playoffs, which ended in a first-round defeat to the Dallas Stars.
Lehkonen (plus-9) and Malinski (plus-7) rank first and second on the Avalanche in plus/minus this postseason. Lehkonen has racked up three goals and three assists in seven games while frequently playing with Nathan MacKinnon on Line 1. Malinski has averaged 19:59 in the playoffs, fourth-most among Avalanche defensemen.
