Full Breakdown
Avalanche Goalie Switch Fails to Halt Wild's 5-1 Victory in Game 3
5/10/2026, 6:40:49 PM
Game 3 Overview
On May 9, 2026, at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, the Minnesota Wild beat the Colorado Avalanche 5-1 to earn their first win of the second-round series. Kirill Kaprizov opened the scoring and added two assists; Quinn Hughes and Brock Faber each scored. Colorado’s only goal came from Nathan MacKinnon on the power play.
Series Context & Goaltending Decision
Colorado entered Game 3 holding a 2-1 series lead and had started veteran netminder Scott Wedgewood in every playoff game. After Wedgewood allowed three goals on 12 shots in the first 24:23 minutes, coach Jared Bednar replaced him with backup Mackenzie Blackwood, who stopped 12 of 13 shots for the remainder of the contest.
Data & Statistics
Reported shot totals vary: Avalanche shots are listed as 35 in three sources and 36 in two; Wild shots appear as 26 in several accounts. Colorado controlled 56 % of 5-on-5 shot-share in the second period but produced only one high-danger chance. The Avalanche power play was 3-for-7 (43 %) through the series, while the Wild converted two power-play chances in Game 3.
Official Statements & Responses
Bednar said the team “didn’t play good enough to win a hockey game tonight against a desperate team” and noted the Wild “had more determination, were more tenacious, more physical.” He added that “there was a level they hit that we didn’t get to.” Blackwood expressed confidence, saying he “has the utmost confidence that we’re going to come out hard and play the right way.”
Criticism & Opposition
Defenseman Cale Makar admitted the Avs “were chasing the game,” and forward Brock Faber described the Wild’s approach as “desperation,” implying a lack of comparable intensity from Colorado.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources disagree on the Avalanche’s total shot count (35 vs. 36) and on the Wild’s shot total (reported as 26 in some accounts, omitted in others). Detailed advanced metrics beyond shot share are not provided.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We'll have a decision to make, but there's a decision to make every night,” — Jared Bednar, Avalanche head coach
- “I thought that Wedgie was playing hard, and I think maybe he looked a little too aggressive on a couple of those,” — Jared Bednar
- “Just felt like at times we were chasing the game,” — Cale Makar, Avalanche defenseman
- “I’ve got the utmost confidence that (we’re) going to come out hard and play the right way,” — Mackenzie Blackwood, Avalanche goaltender
- “It felt like we, as a team, played really good and got the result we wanted.” — Jesper Wallstedt, Wild goaltender
What's Next
Game 4 returns to St. Paul on Monday. Bednar indicated a goaltending decision will be made before tip-off, and the series remains at 2-1 in Colorado’s favor. The outcome will hinge on whether the Avalanche can restore defensive cohesion and generate sustained offensive pressure.
