Facing a 3-0 series deficit, the Colorado Avalanche are turning to goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood in net for Game 4 against the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday. Coach Jared Bednar made the announcement Monday, replacing Scott Wedgewood after Vegas rallied for a 5-3 win in Game 3 at T-Mobile Arena.

Blackwood, 29, has limited playoff experience, appearing in just 11 career postseason games. Drafted in the second round by the New Jersey Devils in 2015, he holds a 4-4-0 record with an .888 save percentage and a 2.81 goals-against average in the playoffs. During the second round against the Minnesota Wild, Blackwood went 1-0 with an .872 save percentage and a 3.20 GAA in three appearances (one start).

Bednar downplayed the notion of a desperation move. “It’s not like we’re putting the weight of the series on Mackenzie, right?” he said. “We’re at 0-3 in the series, so it’s not a desperation move, it’s just you’ve got to make a change and see if something else works for me.”

Blackwood’s history against Vegas is unblemished, but not in his favor: he is 0-4-1 in five career meetings with an .877 save percentage and a 3.63 goals-against average.

Bednar also confirmed that star forward Nathan MacKinnon will play in Game 4. MacKinnon appeared to move well during morning skate after taking a slap shot to his knee late in Game 3. The coach expressed confidence in the team’s mindset, saying, “There’s a looseness around our team this morning, and hoping that can do us some good and free us up to go play to our identity tonight.”