Nathan MacKinnon ‘feeling a lot better’ and full go for Game 4

The Colorado Avalanche have at least one piece of good news to share and it involves the health of superstar Nathan MacKinnon.

Down 0-3 in the Western Conference Final, the Avs obviously need MacKinnon if they want to pull off a miracle comeback against the Vegas Golden Knights.

And after getting hurt in Game 3 by taking a puck to the the knee midway through the second period, Colorado fans are rightfully curious about the health of perhaps the best player on Earth.

MacKinnon only played four more shifts after the injury, but it sounds like he’s doing a lot better on Tuesday and will be good to go for Game 4 later this evening.

Bednar says they think they’ll be able to use MacKinnon like normal.

“He’s feeling a lot better today.” https://t.co/BEYobCdja7

— Evan Rawal (@evanrawal) May 26, 2026

That’s obviously a massive piece of news for the Avalanche. Not only will Nathan MacKinnon skate in the elimination game, but he’ll also look like himself. It’s great that Bednar could share MacKinnon is feeling a lot better.

The Avalanche also got back star defenseman Cale Makar in Game 3, another huge boost after he sat out Games 1 and 2, both losses.

Forward Valeri Nichushkin will be a “game-time” decision after suffering a lower-body injury on Sunday. Mackenzie Blackwood will take over in net for Scott Wedgewood, as the Avs are desperate for a spark.

They can’t win four games on Tuesday night, but they can win one. And not only would that avoid an embarrassing sweep, it could also provide a glimmer of hope with a potential Game 5 back on Thursday night at Ball Arena if necessary.

And maybe, just maybe, Nathan MacKinnon can do something electric to get the Avalanche on the board in this series.

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