Mackenzie Blackwood proved Jared Bednar right on Monday night.
The Colorado Avalanche head coach decided to play their backup goaltender just before Game 4, and it paid off.
Now, the Avs lead 3-1 with the series coming back to Colorado.
Mackenzie Blackwood proved Jared Bednar right with his great night
Scott Wedgewood has been the best goaltender in the NHL all season long. His .921 save percentage was No. 1 in the league, as was his goals against average (2.02).
But the playoffs have been a little tough on Wedgewood.
He’s currently 10th in save percentage (.911) and 11th in goals against (2.45) in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Those numbers were simultaneously inflated and deflated in Game 2 of this second round series, when the Minnesota Wild scored six goals on him. That included the Wild erasing a 3-0 Colorado lead, and even taking the 5-4 advantage before losing 9-6.
That 6-goal game by Wedgewood is why Bednar pulled his starting goalie in Game 3 after he gave up three scores only 24 minutes into the contest.
Blackwood entered the game and gave Colorado a chance, giving up one score before being pulled in favor of an empty net when the Avs went into desperation mode.
Apparently, that solid defense was enough to earn him the start in Game 4.
Which was puzzling to say the least.
Sure, Wedgewood struggled in Game 2 but it was questionable to pull him so early in Game 3. Sitting “Wedgie” in favor of Blackwood in Game 4 seemed ridiculous in the lead up to the contest.
But it was brilliant by Bednar.
Blackwood dazzles in third period
For most of the night, the Colorado defenders were doing such a great job, Blackwood was just a fan, watching the action happen in front of him.
At one point in the second period, the Avs led the Wild an amazing 20-5 in shots on goal.
But the ice started tilting in Minnesota’s favor during that game-deciding period.
After a slow start, Blackwood had eight saves on the third period alone. That included beautiful back-to-back stops on Nico Sturm on a direct, close shot and rebound. After those crucial saves, the shots on goal were 23-17 in favor of the Avalanche, highlighting how the Wild’s desperation meant them shooting the puck more relentlessly in Blackwood’s direction.
Sturm did eventually score on Blackwood to make it 2-2 with 10:45 to go in regulation.
But that’s when the Avs supported their goalie with three goals. First up was Parker Kelly’s brilliant one-timer in the top of the net.
[COL (3) – MIN 2] Drury intercepts a Wild pass and it leads to Parker Kelly getting his first career playoff goal and the Avs lead byu/daKrut inhockey
After more great defense, Nathan MacKinnon and Brock Nelson each scored empty netters to secure the 5-2 victory for Colorado.
It couldn’t have happened without Blackwood’s great play.
Bednar was happy with his goaltender after the win.
“He went into the net and did exactly what I was hoping that he would do,” the Avs coach said of Blackwood. “He had some really strong practices in the last week. He’s had some time to prepare. He’s in tune with what’s going on in the series and done his homework.”
With the Avalanche now ahead 3-1, looking to close out the second round series against the Wild in Denver on Wednesday night, will Bednar again lean on Blackwood? Or will he put his usual starter Wedgewood back in the net?
One thing’s for sure, Denver’s lumber yard is up to the task and stopping pucks at a brilliant rate.
Game 5 is set for Wednesday 6 p.m. MT puck drop at Ball Arena.
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