“He was clearly in a ton of pain,” Bednar said. “I've been here 10 years and I've seen Nate lay on the ice twice.
I've seen him leave a couple games, one in the playoffs against San Jose a couple of years ago and last night and still come back and it's not a great feeling for a team.
For him to be able to come back out, get some work done late in the second period and intermission and to be able to come back and help us on the power play and empty-net situations, if that's all he can do, then we'll take it.
It's better than anything else we can put on the ice, in my opinion. It just shows his character, his leadership and desire to win.”
Goaltending Change
In addition to MacKinnon's return, the Avalanche will insert goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood into the starting role, replacing Scott Wedgewood for the elimination game.
“Yeah, he’ll play,” Bednar said.
Bednar explained that changing netminders serves as a strategic adjustment rather than a panic move given the current series deficit.
“We're at 0-3 in the series, so it's not a desperation move, it's, 'you've got to make a change and see if something else works.'
We have nothing to lose. It's the first time he's entering (the series).
It's not like we're putting the weight of the series on Mackenzie,” Bednar said.
Blackwood has not played since being pulled during a May 13 game against Minnesota.
