Hammond will start for Avalanche in Game 5 vs. Predators

Journeyman Andrew Hammond will start between the pipes for the Colorado Avalanche in Game 5 against the Nashville Predators on Friday after Jonathan Bernier left Game 4 with a lower-body injury, the team announced Thursday.

Hammond entered Game 4 in relief of Bernier early in the third period and stopped all eight shots he faced in the Avs' 3-2 loss.

Despite starting just five games over the past two seasons, the 30-year-old Hammond does have prior playoff experience. After his miraculous run to lead the Ottawa Senators to the postseason in 2014-15, he started two playoff games, going 0-2 with a .914 save percentage and 3.44 goals against average.

However, he'll certainly be in tough against the top team in the league in a hostile road environment for a netminder.

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