Valeri Nichushkin found an opening in the offensive zone Saturday night and smacked his stick on the ice in rapid fashion, trying to get Sam Malinski’s attention.

Colorado’s defensive collapse sparked a mid-game goalie swap, but turning to Mackenzie Blackwood ignores the numbers. Scott Wedgewood’s stellar road record makes him the safest bet for Game 4.

Colorado’s postseason momentum has suddenly hit turbulence after a shocking defeat and a major change in net.

Wedgewood has made seven straight starts for the Avalanche, who lead the Wild 2-1 in the best-of-7 series. He’s 6-1 with a 2.45 goals-against average and .911 save percentage, but the 33-year-old was pulled early in the second period of the Avalanche’s 5-1 loss to the Wild on Saturday after he allowed three goals on 12 shots.

While this Colorado Avalanche team in the Twin Cities with the intention of putting a stranglehold on this second-round playoff series, the financial parameters for the next edition of the Avs were firmed up earlier this week.

Colorado still leads the best-of-seven NHL Stanley Cup series 2-1, but suffered its first loss of the playoffs.

The Minnesota Wild need to make some serious adjustments if they're going to get back into their series against the Avalanche.