Avalanche under pressure in playoffs

The Colorado Avalanche faced a pivotal moment in their Stanley Cup playoff journey as they suffered a 5-1 defeat to the Minnesota Wild in Game 3 of their second-round series on April 5, 2026. This loss ended the Avalanche's six-game playoff winning streak.

Head coach Jared Bednar made the significant decision to pull starting goalie Scott Wedgewood after the Wild's Ryan Hartman scored a power-play goal, pushing Minnesota ahead 3-0. Wedgewood, who had been a reliable presence in the postseason, had previously allowed six goals in the series opener and performed admirably in a Game 2 victory.

However, his struggles in Game 3 prompted Bednar to replace him with Mackenzie Blackwood, who allowed only one goal in the remainder of the game. Bednar acknowledged the need for a change, noting Wedgewood's aggressive style may have contributed to the goals against.

The Avalanche's goalie duo, referred to as 'The Lumber Yard,' had shared duties throughout the season, with Wedgewood posting a 31-6-1 record and Blackwood a 23-10-2 mark. As they prepare for Game 4, Bednar indicated that a decision on which goalie to start would be crucial, emphasizing the importance of overcoming previous playoff challenges as the team seeks to meet high fan expectations.