ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Avalanche suffered defeat for the first time this postseason.

Here are three takeaways from Colorado’s 5-1 loss in Game 3 at Grand Casino Arena on Saturday:

1. The Minnesota Wild’s game was reminiscent of the Los Angeles Kings’ Game 3 against the Avalanche. They came out hitting everything that moved. The difference between those two teams? Minnesota has significantly more talent on its roster and eventually was able to turn some momentum into offense. The Avalanche withstood the first 10 minutes, but when they couldn’t capitalize on an early power play, the Wild made them pay. Minnesota kept up the physical play all night, which kept the crowd in the game.

2. Speaking of special teams, the Avalanche dominated the special teams battle in the first two games, something they failed to do against Dallas last postseason. That flipped in Game 3. Colorado got two first-period power plays and failed to score on either of them. Meanwhile, the Wild made the Avalanche pay on their only man advantage of the first. Early in the second, the Wild scored on another power play, giving them a perfect 4-for-4 record on special teams just 25 minutes into the game. Colorado eventually scored on a power play, but it was too late. Some of the calls from the referees were questionable, but one team took advantage of its opportunities more than the other.

3. Looking for any sort of spark from his team, Jared Bednar made multiple changes after the Wild built a 3-0 lead. He moved Gabriel Landeskog to the top line with Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas, while dropping Artturi Lehkonen down to a second line that hasn’t consistently brought offense. We also saw our first look at Mackenzie Blackwood this postseason when he relieved Scott Wedgewood. It wasn’t Wedgewood’s best start, but the team in front of him didn’t seem to have much energy early. Blackwood looked like a goaltender who hadn’t played in weeks, as his rebound control wasn’t great.