Avalanche coach Jared Bednar is making a goalie change as Mackenzie Blackwood will get his first start in about a month. Seems like a bit of a panic move to me, but all I want is overtime. Colorado was 11-3-2 in games following a regulation loss during the season. On the other side, Minnesota's Jesper Wallstedt was notably benched for Game 2, and that didn't work out for the Wild at all. He was terrific back as the guy in the Game 3 victory. Minny's only home loss in these playoffs was in double OT.
Hamilton scored three goals in WHL Red Deer's 4-3 win over Lethbridge on Friday.
Blackwood allowed two goals on 26 shots in Friday's 5-2 preseason win over the Jets.
Wallstedt stopped 16 of 18 shots in Friday's 2-1 preseason loss to the Stars.
Schwartz scored a goal, added two assists and went plus-3 in Friday's 5-2 preseason win over the Jets.
Hughes had a hat trick, an assist and a plus-4 rating in Friday's 5-2 preseason win over the Jets.
Faber sustained an apparent upper-body injury after being hit with a puck in the second period of Friday's preseason game versus the Stars, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports.
MacKinnon will make his first and only preseason appearance Friday against the Jets, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.
Makar (lower body) will make his first and only preseason appearance Friday against Winnipeg, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.
Blackwood will get the starting nod at home versus Winnipeg on Friday in preseason play, Jesse Montano of Guerilla Sports reports.
Kirkland was placed on waivers by the Wild on Thursday for the purpose of reassignment to AHL Iowa.
