Avalanche start Blackwood in goal for Game 4 vs. the Wild as Manson returns but Lehkonen out injured

TL;DR

The Colorado Avalanche will start goalie Mackenzie Blackwood in Game 4 against the Minnesota Wild, marking his first start in nearly a month. Defenseman Josh Manson returns from injury, while Artturi Lehkonen is sidelined due to an upper-body injury.

Key points

Mackenzie Blackwood starts in goal for Game 4
Josh Manson returns from injury to play defense
Artturi Lehkonen is out due to an upper-body injury

Colorado AvalancheMinnesota Wild

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Colorado Avalanche made their first significant lineup shuffle of the postseason for Game 4 of their second-round NHL playoff series on Monday, giving goalie Mackenzie Blackwood his first start in nearly a month after he relieved Scott Wedgewood during the 5-1 loss in Game 3 to the Minnesota Wild. The Avalanche had several changes with their skaters, too, highlighted by defenseman Josh Manson playing for the first time in the series after he suffered an upper-body injury in Game 3 of their first-round sweep of the Los Angeles Kings. Manson and rookie Jack Ahcan drew in on the blue line for Nick Blankenburg and Sam Malinski, who was scratched for the first time this postseason because of an upper-body injury. Manson, a 12th-year veteran, posted a career-best plus-42 rating during the regular season. First line left wing Artturi Lehkonen also had his first absence due to an upper-body injury, so captain moved up to skate with star center . moved down to the third line centered by , with Logan O'Connor moving up to take the other wing. and moved up to the second line to flank center . returned from a five-game injury absence to take O'Connor's previous place on the fourth line centered by . Wedgewood and Blackwood split the net during the regular season and shared the William M. Jennings Trophy as the Avalanche had the NHL's best goals against average. Wedgewood, a career backup who had a breakout season, went 6-0 in the playoffs before giving up three goals in Game 3 and being pulled early in the second period. Blackwood played the entire first-round series last year against the . \\_ AP Sports Writer Pat Graham in Denver contributed to this report. \\_ AP NHL playoffs: and

Q&A

Why is Mackenzie Blackwood starting in goal for the Avalanche?

Mackenzie Blackwood is starting due to his first appearance in nearly a month after relieving Scott Wedgewood during Game 3.

What impact does Josh Manson's return have on the Avalanche lineup?

Josh Manson's return strengthens the Avalanche's defense, as he replaces Nick Blankenburg and brings experience after recovering from an upper-body injury.

What is the status of Artturi Lehkonen for Game 4?

Artturi Lehkonen will not play in Game 4 due to an upper-body injury, marking his first absence of the postseason.