| Scoring | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIN | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 |
| COL | 3 | 2 | 4 | 9 |
Avalanche, Second Round Game 1, beat Wild 9–6 at Ball Arena on May 3, 2026.
In a high-scoring affair, the Colorado Avalanche secured a thrilling 9-6 victory over the Minnesota Wild in Game 1 of the Western Conference's Second Round. With this win, the Avalanche lead the best-of-7 series 1-0, setting the tone for what promises to be an explosive matchup.
The Avalanche jumped out to a strong start, with three quick goals in the first period. Sam Malinski, Jack Drury, and Artturi Lehkonen found the back of the net, putting Colorado up 3-0 before the Wild could regroup. However, Minnesota responded with two quick goals from Marcus Johansson and Ryan Hartman, narrowing the gap to 3-2.
The real turning point came during the second period when Minnesota managed to tie the game at 4-4. Just when it appeared they had seized the momentum, Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews scored late in the second to bring the game back to even at 5-5. This sequence underscored the Avalanche's resilience and ability to respond under pressure, crucial in a playoff atmosphere.
Cale Makar was a standout for the Avalanche, scoring two pivotal goals, including the one that gave Colorado a lead in the third period. Nathan MacKinnon also contributed significantly with a goal and multiple assists, ensuring he found himself involved in many scoring plays. Devon Toews made his presence felt, not only scoring but also assisting on two goals.
For the Wild, Quinn Hughes had an impressive performance, notching a goal and multiple assists, while Marcus Foligno's goal late in the second demonstrated Minnesota's fighting spirit. However, their inability to maintain consistency after tying the game proved detrimental.
The series continues with Game 2, where the Avalanche will look to build on their offensive momentum and extend their lead to 2-0. Meanwhile, the Wild will be under pressure to bounce back and even the series, knowing that falling behind 2-0 would make their road to victory much tougher. The excitement is set to escalate as both teams prepare for another showdown.
Avalanche won 9–6.
The final score was Wild 6, Avalanche 9.
Marcus Foligno, Marcus Johansson, Mats Zuccarello, Quinn Hughes, Ryan Hartman, Vladimir Tarasenko.
Cale Makar (2), Artturi Lehkonen, Devon Toews, Jack Drury, Nathan MacKinnon, Nazem Kadri, Nick Blankenburg, Sam Malinski.
Jesper Wallstedt made 34 saves on 42 shots (.810 save percentage).
Scott Wedgewood made 30 saves on 36 shots (.833 save percentage).
At Ball Arena in Denver, the Avalanche home rink.
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