The Colorado Avalanche are gearing up for a crucial Game 4 matchup against the Minnesota Wild on Monday, and all signs point to some significant lineup shake-ups. After suffering their first postseason loss on Saturday—a decisive 5-1 defeat that snapped a nine-game winning streak—head coach Jared Bednar is weighing his options carefully.

The loss was a wake-up call for the Avs, who had been on a roll since the regular season ended. On Saturday, they were outplayed in nearly every facet of the game, prompting Bednar to pull goalie Scott Wedgewood in the second period after he allowed three goals on 12 shots. Mackenzie Blackwood stepped in, making his first appearance since April 14. While Wedgewood wasn't the sole reason for the loss, Bednar remained tight-lipped about who will start in net for Game 4. Wedgewood could very well get the nod again, but nothing is set in stone.

The real intrigue, however, lies in the forward lines. Bednar, known for keeping his lineup cards close to the vest, hinted at potential adjustments during a team meeting at the hotel. "There's definitely lots of talk today about how we want to structure our lines for tomorrow," he said. "Oftentimes, you have to give up something to get something."

One area of focus is the second line, anchored by Brock Nelson and Valeri Nichushkin. The duo has been one of the team's most effective shutdown pairs, but their offensive production has fallen short of expectations. Through seven playoff games, Nelson and Nichushkin each have just one goal—both scored on empty nets. The Avs clearly need more from them, but the question is whether to keep them together or split them up to spark the offense.

Sacrificing defensive stability for a scoring boost is a gamble, but with the series tied and momentum shifting, it might be a risk worth taking. As Bednar weighs his options, fans can expect a more aggressive, reenergized Avalanche squad when they hit the ice for Game 4.