LAS VEGAS — With their season on the line, the Avalanche are making a change in net.

Mackenzie Blackwood will start Tuesday’s Game 4 for the Avalanche, replacing Scott Wedgewood in net. This will be just Blackwood’s third start of the playoffs, as Wedgewood has carried the load in net.

The Avalanche also will also have their star center in the lineup.

Nathan MacKinnon will play, Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. The 30-year-old center did not take part in morning skate, but they don’t believe he will be limited in the game like he was in the third period of a 5-3 loss Sunday.

“He’s feeling a lot better today,” Bednar said.

Game 4 at T-Mobile Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m. The Golden Knights lead the best-of-seven series 3-0.

The decision to change goaltenders shouldn’t come as a surprise given how the Avalanche have handled their rotation all season long. Wedgewood hasn’t been bad, but he has been outplayed by Carter Hart in each of the first three games. In a short series like this, goaltending can make all the difference.

Blackwood’s last start in Game 5 against the Minnesota Wild did not go well. He was pulled after allowing three goals in the first period. With their season on the brink, this would seemingly put a lot of pressure on Blackwood to play well and save Colorado’s season. But Bednar wanted to make sure his goaltender knew he wasn’t carrying the weight of the season on his shoulders.

“That was exactly my message to him. We have nothing to lose and this series is the first time he’s entering it,” Bednar said. “It’s not like we’re putting the weight of the series on Mackenzie. I think Mackenzie’s the type of guy and goalie that plays better when he’s loose and confident and he’s been doing the work to make sure that he’s ready and prepared.”

The team in front of him is confident Blackwood will come in and play well.

“We have the utmost confidence,” Cale Makar said. “The way they handled the entire year together and early on in these playoffs too. For us, regardless of who is in (net), they’re going to do an amazing job and the best they possibly can. I have the utmost faith in (Blackwood) and he’s a gamer.”

Although MacKinnon will play, there’s more uncertainty around the health of Valeri Nichushkin. Nichushkin did not play in the third period of Game 3 with what Bednar described as a lower-body injury.

“We’ll see on Val,” Bednar said.