Avalanche’s Lehkonen, Malinski Will Not Play in Game 4

TL;DR

Avalanche forwards Artturi Lehkonen and defenseman Sam Malinski will miss Game 4 due to upper-body injuries. Colorado expects to have Josh Manson and Joel Kiviranta back in the lineup.

Key points

Lehkonen and Malinski are out for Game 4
Both players have upper-body injuries
Avalanche leads the series against Minnesota 2-1
Josh Manson and Joel Kiviranta are returning to the lineup
Mackenzie Blackwood will start in goal for the Avalanche

Colorado AvalancheMinnesota WildArtturi LehkonenSam Malinski

May 3, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Sam Malinski (70) shoots against the Minnesota Wild during the second period in game one of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Avalanche forward Artturi Lehkonen and defenseman Sam Malinski are both out for Game 4 with upper-body injuries, the team announced on Monday ahead of puck drop in Minnesota. The Avs are expecting to have Josh Manson and Joel Kiviranta back in the lineup, and they’ll directly replace those two guys. Malinski has a goal and two assists in seven postseason games, while Lehkonen has three goals, three assists and a +9 rating. Neither had missed a game before this. Colorado is also starting Mackenzie Blackwood in goal, as he’ll make his first playoff start this season. All four lines look a little different than the ones that started Game 3 on Saturday. Gabe Landeskog is back on the top line, where he ended two nights prior. Brock Nelson is playing with the wingers had been playing with, and Kadri is between and Logan O’Connor. On defense, is also likely going to sit for , according to the lines the team deployed during pre-game warm-ups. The Avalanche lead the second round series against Minnesota 2-1. They won the first two games in Denver before getting outplayed in a 5-1 defeat in Game 3. The post appeared first on .

Q&A

Why are Lehkonen and Malinski not playing in Game 4?

Lehkonen and Malinski are both out due to upper-body injuries.

What are the playoff statistics for Lehkonen and Malinski?

Lehkonen has three goals and three assists with a +9 rating, while Malinski has one goal and two assists in the postseason.

Who is replacing Lehkonen and Malinski in the Avalanche lineup?

Josh Manson and Joel Kiviranta are expected to replace Lehkonen and Malinski in the lineup.

Avalanche’s Lehkonen, Malinski Will Not Play in Game 4

TL;DR

Key points

Q&A

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