In surprising twist, Avalanche to play Game 4 without Sam Malinski, Artturi Lehkonen
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Avalanche will get Josh Manson and Joel Kiviranta back for Game 4 of their hotly contested series against the Minnesota Wild.
Unfortunately for the Avs, they’ll be replacing important players who will miss the pivotal game due to injury.
Artturi Lehkonen and Sam Malinski, both of whom took morning skate on Monday, will miss Game 4 due to upper-body injuries. Both have played in every game for the Avalanche in the postseason and their absences came as a major surprise.
Puck drop from Grand Casino Arena is at 6 p.m. Monday (ESPN).
Lehkonen is tied for third on the Avalanche with three goals this postseason and has six points. He’s also an important player in all situations, so his presence will be missed. Malinski has three points in seven games and has been averaging almost 20 minutes per game.
In their absence, Josh Manson will make his return to the lineup after missing Colorado’s last four games. Game 4 will be Kiviranta’s first game since April 21. Jack Ahcan, who was called up from the Colorado Eagles, will make his NHL playoff debut, as Nick Blankenburg will be a healthy scratch.