| Scoring | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COL | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| MIN | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
Avalanche, Second Round Game 4, beat Wild 5–2 at Xcel Energy Center on May 11, 2026.
The Colorado Avalanche claimed a crucial 5-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild in Game 4 of the Second Round, putting the Avalanche one win away from clinching the series. This game was pivotal for the Wild, who faced elimination with a loss and now trail in the series 3-1.
With this win, the Avalanche have a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. The pressure now mounts on the Wild, as they must win three consecutive games to advance to the next round. This match marked the fourth in a series where the Avalanche have demonstrated their dominance, with the Wild winning only one of their last six encounters against Colorado.
The turning point of this match came in the third period. After the Wild equalized with a goal from Nico Sturm at 9:15, rejuvenating their chances, the Avalanche responded swiftly. Just over two minutes later, Parker Kelly pushed Colorado back in front at 11:32. This shift in momentum allowed Colorado to control the pace of the game, and they pulled away with two late goals from Nathan MacKinnon and Brock Nelson in the final minute.
For the Avalanche, Nazem Kadri and Ross Colton were key contributors, both scoring during critical moments to turn the tide in their favor. Nathan MacKinnon, consistently a threat throughout the series, notched a goal and added an assist to further highlight his importance to the team. Colorado’s tactical execution and aggressive style paid off, as they fired 34 shots on goal and capitalized on their scoring opportunities effectively.
On the Wild side, Danila Yurov opened the scoring early in the first period, and Quinn Hughes recorded an assist on the tying goal by Sturm, showing his offensive capabilities even in a losing effort.
With the Avalanche on the brink of advancing, the Wild need to regroup and find ways to break through Colorado’s defenses to avoid elimination in Game 5. The next matchup will be critical as Minnesota strives to extend their playoff run and keep their postseason hopes alive.
Avalanche won 5–2.
The final score was Avalanche 5, Wild 2.
Brock Nelson, Nathan MacKinnon, Nazem Kadri, Parker Kelly, Ross Colton.
Danila Yurov, Nico Sturm.
Mackenzie Blackwood made 19 saves on 21 shots (.905 save percentage).
Jesper Wallstedt made 29 saves on 32 shots (.906 save percentage).
At Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, the Wild home rink.
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