Avalanche’s Closeout Bid Gets Rocked as Blackwood Is Pulled

Colorado’s attempt to finish the job takes an early hit when the first period turns messy in a hurry. Three goals in the opening frame are enough to send Mackenzie Blackwood to the bench, and that is never a good sign when a team is trying to close out a series. A pull that early usually tells you the defense is leaking chances, the tone is off, or both, and playoff momentum has a way of snowballing fast.