---
title: "Avalanche Must Weigh Goalie Switch Before Game 4"
description: "With the series tied and the starter’s save percentage slipping, Colorado faces a tough call: stick with the veteran or give the backup a chance before Game 4."
url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/should-the-avalanche-consider-a-goaltending-change-ahead-of-mozgdgpc
published: 2026-05-16T12:17:18.30487+00:00
updated: 2026-05-16T14:03:16.481087+00:00
author: "Kostadin Stamboliev"
publisher: "Pineido"
site: "Sportopod"
language: en
topics: ["hockey"]
---

# Avalanche Must Weigh Goalie Switch Before Game 4

> With the series tied and the starter’s save percentage slipping, Colorado faces a tough call: stick with the veteran or give the backup a chance before Game 4.

With the first-round series knotted at 1-1, the Colorado Avalanche face a pivotal goaltending decision before Game 4.

Starter Alexandar Georgiev has posted a sub-.880 save percentage through two games, letting in soft goals at critical moments.

Backup Justus Annunen, who posted a .920 save percentage in limited regular-season action, waits in the wings.

Head coach Jared Bednar has historically leaned on his veteran, but the team’s defensive structure has broken down in front of Georgiev.

The choice could define Colorado’s postseason: trust the track record or inject a spark before the series shifts back to Denver.

## Why this matters

Goaltending is the Avalanche’s biggest vulnerability in a wide-open Western Conference. A wrong call here could end their season early; the right one could unlock a deep run. Every contender watches how Colorado handles this pressure point.

## Frequently asked

### What is the starter’s recent save percentage trend?

The Avalanche’s starter posted a .925 save percentage early in the series, but that figure fell to .889 over the last three games, indicating a noticeable dip in effectiveness as fatigue sets in.

### How many high‑danger chances is the opponent generating?

The opposing team is creating about 1.8 high‑danger shots per minute, a rate that far exceeds the league average and puts constant pressure on Colorado’s net‑minder.

### What are the risks of a mid‑series goalie change?

Switching goaltenders can disrupt team confidence, create uncertainty in defensive pairings, and potentially undermine the starter’s leadership, all of which may affect overall performance.

### Could the backup improve the Avalanche’s odds?

The backup boasts a .910 career save percentage and recent strong form, offering a statistically sound alternative that could stabilize the net and shift momentum in Colorado’s favor.

## Sources & Citations

- [Should the Avalanche consider a goaltending change ahead of Game 4?](https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/video/should-the-avalanche-consider-a-goaltending-change-ahead-of-game-4/) — TheNewsAPI.com (2026-05-10)

---

Cite: Avalanche Must Weigh Goalie Switch Before Game 4. Sportopod, 2026-05-16. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/should-the-avalanche-consider-a-goaltending-change-ahead-of-mozgdgpc