The Colorado Avalanche are making quite a few lineup changes for Game 4 against the Minnesota Wild.
Mackenzie Blackwood will start between the pipes for the Avalanche, who lead the series 2-1. Scott Wedgewood has started each playoff game for Colorado, but was pulled in favour of Blackwood in Game 3 after allowing three goals on 12 shots.
The 29-year-old Blackwood appeared in 39 games for the Avalanche during the regular season, earning a .904 save percentage and 2.51 goals-against average with three shutouts for the Presidents' Trophy-winning squad.
Per Sportsnet Stats, Blackwood has an 8-2-0 record with a 2.20 goals-against average following a loss during the regular season.
Meanwhile, forward Arturri Lehkonen and defenceman Sam Malinski have both been scratched from the lineup with upper-body injuries, while Josh Manson and Joel Kiviranta, who have both been sidelined with injuries, are making their return to the lineup.
Manson, 24, has not played since Game 3 of the first round against the Los Angeles Kings, where he suffered an upper-body injury.
Kiviranta suffered an undisclosed injury in Game 2 against the Kings and has not played since.
Minnesota native Jack Ahcan is also making his playoff debut, slotting into the Avalanche's second pairing alongside Manson. The 28-year-old appeared in 11 regular-season games and recorded two assists while averaging 11:32 on ice.
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