DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 13: Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood #39 of the Colorado Avalanche defends against Danila Yurov #22 of the Minnesota Wild during the first period in Game Five of the Second Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena on May 13, 2026 in Denver, Colorado.

Avalanche's closeout bid jolted as Blackwood pulled after 3 goals

The Associated Press
2 hours ago
Michael Martin / National Hockey League / Getty

DENVER (AP) — Mackenzie Blackwood made his second straight start for the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday night but was pulled after allowing three goals in the first period.

Scott Wedgewood, who won six of his seven starts in the Stanley Cup playoffs, replaced Blackwood to start the second period with the Avalanche trailing 3-0.

Blackwood, who won Game 4 in St. Paul, Minnesota, surrendered a goal to Marcus Johansson just 34 seconds into Game 5, then allowed a pair of goals to Nick Foligno.

The Avalanche were hoping to close out a playoff series at home for the first time in more than 18 years. If they lose Game 5, they'll return to Minnesota for Game 6 on Friday night.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

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