Blackwood Pulled Early in Game 5 After Allowing Three First-Period Goals

After being named the starter for Wednesday's pivotal Game 5 against Minnesota, Mackenzie Blackwood struggled, allowing three goals in the first period. He surrendered a goal to Marcus Johansson just 34 seconds into the game, followed by two goals from Nick Foligno. Blackwood was pulled to start the second period, with Scott Wedgewood taking over the crease for the Avalanche. This performance follows his Game 4 victory in St. Paul, marking a difficult shift in the team's goaltending strategy.