Jared Bednar’s backing of Mackenzie Blackwood has Brandon Stokley on edge

The Colorado Avalanche’s goaltending situation remains one of the most-pressing storylines of their second-round playoff series against the Minnesota Wild. And head coach Jared Bednar did little to quiet the conversation with his recent remarks in support of netminder Mackenzie Blackwood.

On a recent edition of “Stokley and Evans, with Mark Schlereth,” the hosts unpacked Bednar’s postgame comments following Saturday’s 5-1 loss to the Wild in Game 3, a contest in which starter Scott Wedgewood was pulled after surrendering three early goals. Blackwood entered in relief, and while the final score offered little consolation, Bednar’s assessment of his goaltender’s performance was notably measured.

“I thought Blackwood was good,” Bednar said. “You know, like it’s a little bit of a tough break. Bad angle shot, hits him, does his job, saves it and it goes back off Faber’s pads.”

With the Avalanche back on the road tonight in Minnesota for Game 4, the central question for the hosts was a straightforward one: Who gets the start in net — Blackwood or Wedgewood?

Bednar acknowledged the weight of the decision without tipping his hand entirely.

“We’ll have a decision to make, but there’s a decision to make every night,” he said. “Some of them are easier than others.”

That level of ambiguity didn’t sit comfortably with everyone on set — particularly Brandon Stokley.

“I’m nervous listening to him there, that Blackwood’s gonna start tonight and be a complete mess!” Stokley said, making no effort to hide his unease with the direction the coaching staff appears to be leaning.

Stokley’s concern is not without merit. The Avalanche’s goaltending tandem has been a source of inconsistency throughout the postseason. Wedgewood’s rough outing in Game 3 was the latest example, but Blackwood has had his own share of difficult nights between the pipes.

From Bednar’s perspective, the decision is about trust. His public defense of Blackwood — highlighting the unfortunate nature of the goal off Minnesota defenseman Brock Faber’s pads rather than placing blame — is the type of calculated endorsement designed to instill confidence in a goaltender being asked to shoulder a significant burden on a high-profile stage.

Still, the reality of the situation is difficult to overlook. A 5-1 defeat in a second-round playoff game is the kind of result that demands answers, and the goaltending position is where the scrutiny naturally falls.

Whether Bednar’s confidence in Blackwood translates to a Game 4 start — and more importantly, whether it translates to results — is the question that will be answered when the puck drops tonight in Minnesota.
For Stokley, the wait may feel longer than most.

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