Full Breakdown
Avalanche Overcome 3-Goal Deficit to Advance to Western Conference Final
5/14/2026, 12:20:13 PM
Game Summary
Game 5 (May 13, 2026, Ball Arena) saw Minnesota lead 3-0 after first-period goals by Marcus Johansson and two by Nick Foligno. Colorado answered with goals from Parker Kelly, Jack Drury and Nathan MacKinnon to tie 3-3, then Brett Kulak scored 3:52 into overtime for a 4-3 Avalanche win, clinching the series 4-1.
Statistical Highlights
Colorado outshot Minnesota 22-7 in the second period, held a 33-8 shot-attempt edge, and led 20-4 in shots on goal with a 17-1 5-on-5 advantage. The Avs allowed ten five-on-five goals (second fewest) and posted a +10 third-period differential.
Official Statements & Responses
Bednar praised belief despite “moments where we were a little down,” while Landeskog said that belief kept the forecheck alive. O’Connor called the plan “super repeatable.” Hynes noted the Wild “laid it on the line” and must play the required game.
Criticism & Opposition
Defenseman Brock Faber voiced “anger and frustration” over the loss. The Wild’s penalty kill, conceding a goal in ten straight playoff games, was highlighted as a key weakness.
On-Ice Report
Minnesota’s early 3-0 surge gave the Wild a lead, but Colorado dominated possession, outshooting the Wild 33-8 in the second period. MacKinnon’s late tying goal ignited the crowd; Kulak’s overtime strike sealed a rare home series-ending win for the Avs since 2008.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
One source lists a 20-4 shots-on-goal lead; another reports a 33-8 shot-attempt advantage. No other major gaps appear.
What's Next
Colorado now awaits the Vegas Golden Knights–Anaheim Ducks winner; Minnesota’s season ends with a 4-1 loss.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The player I am, I'm not the guy (they're) looking down the bench, hollering, ‘Get out there, go win it for us.’” — Brett Kulak, Defenseman, Colorado Avalanche
- “A lot of fun.” — Nathan MacKinnon, Forward, Colorado Avalanche
- “When you go after something like this, right, there's going to be two sides of the coin. One is you're going to win, which is a great feeling, and when you lose, it's an empty feeling,” — John Hynes, Head Coach, Minnesota Wild
- “Even when they tied it up, there was a sense of belief that we were just gonna keep rolling and we were gonna get rewarded eventually. [We] trusted our forecheck, kept turning pucks over that way and sustained some pressure and those guys (Colton and Kelly) with great shots.” — Gabriel Landeskog, Captain, Colorado Avalanche
- “We feel as though our game plan last night and how we played is super repeatable,” — Logan O’Connor, Forward, Colorado Avalanche
