Avalanche fans won't like what Jared Bednar said about Nathan MacKinnon

Jared Bednar isn't ready to sit Nathan MacKinnon, even if the Avalanche superstar can only handle power play and empty-net shifts in a must-win Game 4 Monday night.

That was the message out of Colorado this afternoon, with the Avs down 0-3 in their second-round series against Vegas and staring at elimination on the road.

Insider Mark Lazerus relayed the quote that's now lit up hockey Twitter.

The framing matters. Bednar isn't promising a full workload. He's saying a half-MacKinnon is still better than anything else on his bench.

That's a heavy admission from a head coach with his back against the wall. It also tells you everything about Colorado's depth chart when the playoff lights get hottest.

MacKinnon is listed as day-to-day with a lower-body issue. He's already piled up 15 points in 12 playoff games this spring, including 3 power-play goals.

Lower-body issue forces Colorado into a desperate compromise

The 30-year-old put up 127 points in 80 regular-season games and a +57 rating. You don't bench a player like that unless he physically can't lace them up.

Bednar essentially confirmed the obvious. If MacKinnon can stand on the blue line during a man advantage, that's enough to dress him.

Here's the uncomfortable part. The Golden Knights have outscored Colorado 12-6 across the first three games of this series, including a 5-3 loss in Vegas on Sunday night.

A limited MacKinnon on the second power-play unit is a Hail Mary, not a plan. It's like sending a starting quarterback out one-legged because the backup keeps throwing picks.

But what's the alternative? Cale Makar has 5 points in 10 playoff games. Martin Necas has 1 goal across 12. The top of the lineup needs a pulse.

Watch the warmup. If MacKinnon takes a regular shift rotation, the injury is manageable. If he only appears for power plays, this becomes a symbolic dress more than a tactical one.