The Colorado Avalanche entered the postseason as heavy Stanley Cup favorites, but after a humbling 5-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild in Game 3, the script has flipped. Now, with their first loss of the playoffs fresh in mind, the Avalanche face a critical decision ahead of Monday's Game 4 in the Twin Cities—one that could involve a change between the pipes. Puck drop is set for 8 p.m. ET in the only NHL game of the night.

Let's be clear: I've never coached hockey, just played on frozen ponds in Michigan back in the day, so I'm not about to tell Avalanche coach Jared Bednar what to do. But benching Scott Wedgewood after one rough outing would feel like an overreaction. Wedgewood was nothing short of stellar during the regular season, posting a 31-6-6 record with a league-best 2.02 goals-against average and .921 save percentage, plus four shutouts. He carried that form into the playoffs, allowing just five total goals in the first round before Saturday's stumble, where he surrendered three goals on 12 shots in just over 24 minutes before being pulled for Mackenzie Blackwood. Blackwood stopped 12 of 13 shots in relief, keeping the damage from getting worse.

That loss dropped Colorado to +190 second favorites for the Stanley Cup, trailing the undefeated Carolina Hurricanes (+150), who are 8-0 and waiting for their Eastern Conference Finals opponent. Still, Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon remains the Conn Smythe Trophy favorite at +340 on FanDuel, ahead of Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen at +500.

Wedgewood also struggled in Game 1 of this series but still got the win, so Bednar might have reason to make a switch. "We'll have a decision to make, but there's a decision to make every night," he said after Game 3. Blackwood was solid in his own right during the regular season, going 23-10-2 with a 2.51 GAA, .904 save percentage, and three shutouts. However, his last start came all the way back on April 14 in Calgary, so rust could be a factor.

Meanwhile, Wild coach John Hynes faced his own questions after a previous substitution decision, but for now, all eyes are on Colorado's crease. Whether Bednar sticks with Wedgewood or turns to Blackwood, this Game 4 promises to be a pivotal moment in the series—and for the Avalanche's championship hopes.