MacKinnon left Game Three on Sunday late in the second period after suffering a lower-body injury. He returned early in the third period, but was used sparingly, spending most of the final frame on the bench. It's unclear if he will be able to return to his usual playing capacity in Game Four, but his presence will nevertheless be a positive sign for an Avalanche team trying to stave off elimination.
Nichushkin exited Sunday's 5-3 Game Three loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in the second period after only playing 8:34 time-on-ice. The 31-year-old Nichushkin is the latest injury concern for an Avalanche team that has trouble staying healthy as they trail their third-round series 3-0. Nichushkin has four points (2G / 2A) in 12 games this postseason.
After getting off to a surprising and disappointing 0-3 deficit in their third-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights, the Colorado Avalanche are expected to switch things up between the pipes, turning to Mackenzie Blackwood for the first time. The 29-year-old Blackwood has not played since May 13th, when he allowed three goals on 13 shots (.769 SV%) and was relieved by Scott Wedgewood in an eventual 4-3 overtime win against the Minnesota Wild. Blackwood made his postseason debut last year and has been inconsistent, posting a 2.81 GAA and .888 SV% in 10 career postseason appearances (4-4). The Avalanche enter Game Four on Tuesday as slight -109 road favourites.
After getting off to a surprising and disappointing 0-3 deficit in their third-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights, the Colorado Avalanche are expected to switch things up between the pipes, turning to Mackenzie Blackwood for the first time. The 29-year-old Blackwood has not played since May 13th, when he allowed three goals on 13 shots (.769 SV%) and was relieved by Scott Wedgewood in an eventual 4-3 overtime win. Blackwood made his postseason debut last year and has been inconsistent, posting a 2.81 GAA and .888 SV% in 10 career postseason appearances (4-4). The Avalanche enter Game Four on Tuesday as slight -109 road favourites.
MacKinnon left Game Three on Sunday late in the second period after suffering a lower-body injury. He returned early in the third period, but was used sparingly, spending most of the final frame on the bench. The Avalanche had battled injuries in their third-round matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights and now, down 3-0, can ill-afford to be without their offensive superstar, MacKinnon.
Nichushkin exited Sunday's 5-3 Game Three loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in the second period after only playing 8:34 time-on-ice. The 31-year-old Nichushkin is the latest injury concern for an Avalanche team that has trouble staying healthy as they trail their third-round series 3-0. Nichushkin has four points (2G / 2A) in 12 games this postseason.
With Cale Makar returning from a two game absence, Nick Blankenburg finds himself the odd man out of Colorado's lineup as they head to Vegas for Game 3 on Sunday. Blankenburg has played solid when called upon this postseason, with a goal, and a -2 plus/minus in five games played.
Makar has missed the first two games of the Western Conference Final with an upper-body injury but is warming up and expected to return for Game 3 on Sunday. The 27-year-old superstar defensemen will make a welcome return as Colorado attempts to win its first game of the series. Makar has four goals, five points and +5 plus/minus in nine playoff games played thus far.
Despite posting a .902 SV% through the first two games of the series, Scott Wedgewood and the Avalanche find themself in a hole and down 2-0 as they head to Vegas for Game 3 on Sunday. Wedgewood has been solid all postseason despite Colorado's recent struggles, posting a 7-3-0 record, 2.30 GAA and a .912 SV% in 10 games played. He will look to get Colorado back in the win column after two close loses to the Golden Knights to start the series.
Blankenburg will make his first appearance since Game 3 of Colorado's second round matchup against the Wild. He's appeared in four games this post-season, tallying one goal and zero assists. Jack Ahcan will sit in his place.
Ahcan will take a seat on Friday after dressing in each of Colorado's last three games. The 29-year-old blue-liner is a -3 rating with zero points across three games this post-season. Nick Blankenburg will draw back into the lineup in his place.
Makar was a full participant in Colorado's morning skate ahead of Game 2 but will remain out with an upper-body injury on Friday as the Avalanche host the Golden Knights. The 27-year-old superstar's absence creates a massive hole in Colorado's defence after he put up four goals and five points in their first nine playoff games while averaging 24:59 TOI.
Despite allowing three goals on 27 shots against (.889 SV%) in Game 1, Colorado will stick with Scott Wedgewood as they host Vegas for Game 2 of the Western Conference Final on Friday. The 33-year-old has yet to lose back-to-back games in the playoffs and will hope to bounce back to the sensational form we had seen in his previous eight playoff appearances. He holds a 7-2-0 record with a 2.32 GAA and .911 SV% in nine appearances this offseason. He will look to even the series and slow down Vegas' current three game winning streak.
Malinski missed Games 4 and 5 vs. the Wild but participated in Tuesday's practice and head coach Jared Bednar "hopes" to have Malinski and Artturi Lehkonen back in the lineup for Game 1 vs. Vegas on Wednesday. Malinski, who has three points (1G / 2A) in seven games, should be back on a pairing with Brent Burns and PP2.
Lehkonen missed Games 4 and 5 vs. the Wild but participated in Tuesday's practice and head coach Jared Bednar "hopes" to have Lehkonen and Sam Malinski back in the lineup for Game 1 vs. Vegas on Wednesday. Lehkonen, who skated with Brock Nelson and Nicolas Roy yesterday, has three goals and three assists (six points) in seven playoff games.
After a tremendous first-round matchup against the Los Angeles Kings, posting a dazzling 1.21 GAA and .950 SV% in a four-game sweep, Wedgewood battled some adversity in the second round against the Minnesota Wild. The 33-year-old Wedgewood allowed three goals on 12 shots (.750 SV%) in Game Three, a 5-1 loss to Minnesota, and was relieved by Mackenzie Blackwood, who started the subsequent two games. Wedgewood posted a concerning 3.51 GAA and .872 SV% in four second-round appearances (3-1), but saved all seven shots he faced in relief of Blackwood in Colorado's series-clinching Game Five victory. The Avalanche enter Game One as -172 home favourites.
Makar was clearly battling through an ailment one week ago in Colorado's series-clinching Game Five win against the Minnesota Wild, missing several shifts, but still ended the game with 25:50 time-on-ice. The 27-year-old Makar was present at the team's morning skate on Wednesday, but will not play in their series-opening game against the Vegas Golden Knights. Makar has five points (4G / 1A) in nine games this postseason.
After a tremendous first-round matchup against the Los Angeles Kings, posting a dazzling 1.21 GAA and .950 SV% in a four-game sweep, Wedgewood battled some adversity in the second round against the Minnesota Wild. The 33-year-old Wedgewood allowed three goals on 12 shots (.750 SV%) in Game Three, a 5-1 loss to Minnesota, and was relieved by Mackenzie Blackwood, who started the subsequent two games. Wedgewood posted a concerning 3.51 GAA and .872 SV% in four second-round appearances (3-1), but saved all seven shots he faced in relief of Blackwood in Colorado's series-clinching Game Five victory. The Avalanche enter Game One as -172 home favourites.
Malinski missed Games 4 and 5 vs. the Wild but participated in Tuesday's practice and head coach Jared Bednar "hopes" to have Malinski and Artturi Lehkonen back in the lineup for Game 1 vs. Vegas on Wednesday. Malinski, who has three points (1G / 2A) in seven games, should be back on a pairing with Brent Burns and PP2.
Lehkonen missed Games 4 and 5 vs. the Wild but participated in Tuesday's practice and head coach Jared Bednar "hopes" to have Lehkonen and Sam Malinski back in the lineup for Game 1 vs. Vegas on Wednesday. Lehkonen, who skated with Brock Nelson and Nicolas Roy yesterday, has three goals and three assists (six points) in seven playoff games.
