Avalanche Depth Powers Game 4 Victory, take 3-1 Series Lead

The Colorado Avalanche received goals from five different skaters as they defeated the Minnesota Wild 5-2 in Game 4 on Monday night, taking a commanding 3-1 series lead in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Ross Colton and Parker Kelly each scored in the third period to help lift the Avs to a critical Game 4 victory. Colorado rolled all four lines throughout the night and received a strong performance from goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, who made his series debut on Monday.

The Wild responded shortly after Colton opened the scoring in the third when Nico Sturm buried his first goal of the postseason off a beautiful backhand feed from Quinn Hughes, evening the score and briefly shifting momentum back in Minnesota’s favour.

However, Colorado’s depth and composure ultimately proved too much to overcome. Nathan MacKinnon and Brock Nelson each added empty-net goals in the final minutes to seal the victory and put the Avalanche one win away from advancing to the next round.

Blackwood was steady between the pipes, stopping 19 of 21 shots while making several key saves late in the game to preserve Colorado’s lead. The 29-year-old netminder was announced as the starter prior to puck drop, making his first postseason start this playoffs after Scott Wedgewood allowed three goals on nine shots in Game 3. Following his strong performance in Game 4, Blackwood is expected to remain Colorado’s starter heading into a potential series-clinching Game 5.

The Avalanche were able to secure the win despite being without Artturi Lehkonen and Sam Malinski, further highlighting the team’s depth and resilience during the postseason.

Colorado will now return home with an opportunity to close out the series in Game 5 on Wednesday night.