Full Breakdown
Avalanche Edge Wild 9-6 in Slugfest to Open Western Conference Semifinals
5/5/2026, 4:24:41 AM
Series Background
Colorado, the Presidents’ Trophy winners, swept the Los Angeles Kings 4-0. Minnesota beat the Dallas Stars in six games for its first second-round in 11 years. The teams split the regular season 2-2, and Minnesota was one of four clubs to defeat Colorado twice this year.
Game Summary
Colorado led 3-0 early (goals by Malinski, Drury, Lehkonen). Minnesota answered with Johansson and Hartman to make it 3-2. In the second period Foligno’s short-handed goal gave Minnesota a 5-4 lead; Toews tied 5-5 with 1:56 left. In the third, Makar scored at 3:21 (6-5), Kadri at 5:43 (7-5), Zuccarello at 16:01 (7-6), Makar again at 17:06 (8-6), and MacKinnon’s empty-net at 17:52 sealed 9-6.
Key Players & Statistics
Colorado: Makar (2 G, 1 A), Toews (1 G, 3 A, 27:35 ice), MacKinnon (1 G, 2 A), Kadri (1 G). Minnesota: Foligno (short-handed G), Zuccarello (G), Johansson, Hartman, Tarasenko, Hughes. Fourteen players scored, tying a playoff record since 1993. Five goals per period produced 15 total, the 10th game with >=15 goals. Colorado logged 43 shots, Minnesota 36; Wedgewood 30 saves, Wallstedt 34 on 42 shots. Colorado joined a five-team club group with >=10 defenseman points in a playoff game.
Impact
Colorado’s 72-1 record when leading by three or more goals highlights its historical edge. The scoring surge forces both teams to reassess defensive strategies before Game 2.
Official Statements
Coach Jared Bednar praised Toews’ two-way play and the team’s resilience after early injuries. Coach John Hynes noted defensive lapses and the need for tighter execution. Captain Gabe Landeskog highlighted the roster’s scoring depth.
Criticism & Opposition
Minnesota’s defense allowed eight goals, a career-high for Wallstedt. Colorado’s goaltender Wedgewood surrendered six, more than in the first-round sweep. The Wild also missed forwards Eriksson Ek and Brodin.
On-the-Ground Reports
Foligno said his short-handed goal came from spotting Wedgewood’s positioning. Makar called the game “weird” because of the scoring volume.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The Big Lead listed a 9 p.m. ET start on TNT; CBS News cited a 7 p.m. ET kickoff. Analysts disagree on whether Colorado’s defense will revert to regular-season standards.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Just a little surprised, to be honest with you, just to see like how they all stopped skating, and I just had a puck all by myself,” — Marcus Foligno, Wild forward
- “Was a bit of a helter-skelter game. Obviously you can tell by the score. We’ll take a look at some things and take some lessons out of this one. Be ready for Game 2.” — John Hynes, Wild head coach
- “I feel like I was in a pretty good scoring area,” — Nazem Kadri, Avalanche forward
- “It was a weird one,” — Cale Makar, Avalanche defenseman
What’s Next
Game 2 returns to Denver Tuesday night; both teams will aim to tighten defense and refine special-team play.
