NHL: Avalanche erase 3-0 deficit in Game 5, eliminate Wild in OT

Down three goals early against the Minnesota Wild, Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon never believed the game was out of reach.

“We figured it was a long time for someone to hold a lead against us,” MacKinnon said.

That confidence proved correct as Brett Kulak scored 3:52 into overtime, lifting the Colorado Avalanche to a dramatic 4-3 comeback victory over the Minnesota Wild in Game 5 on Wednesday in Denver, sealing the series.

With the win, Colorado advances to the Western Conference Final for the first time since 2022, when the franchise captured the Stanley Cup. The Avalanche will face either the Vegas Golden Knights or the Anaheim Ducks in the next round.

Kulak, who scored his first career postseason game-winning goal, emerged as an unlikely hero after a difficult start. The defenseman was on the ice for two Minnesota goals in the first period but rebounded with a goal and an assist.

Colorado’s comeback began late, as the Avalanche scored twice in the final four minutes of regulation to force overtime. Martin Nečas, who finished with two assists, circled behind the Minnesota net before setting up Kulak for a one-timer from the right circle.

“I’m not the guy everyone is looking down the bench like, ‘All right, get out there and go win it for us,’” Kulak said.

Parker Kelly also contributed a goal and an assist, while MacKinnon and Jack Drury added goals. Brent Burns recorded two assists. Goaltender Scott Wedgewood stopped seven shots in relief of Mackenzie Blackwood, who allowed three goals on 13 shots in the first period.

“A regular-season game, I would have left Blackwood in there because he was no different than the rest of our team,” Colorado coach Jared Bednar said. “But you’re looking for a spark.”

Minnesota responded with strong performances from Nick Foligno, who scored twice, and Marcus Johansson, who added a goal. Nico Sturm and Matt Boldy each had two assists, while Jesper Wallstedt made 30 saves.

The Wild, who finished third in the Central Division and eliminated the Dallas Stars in the first round, ultimately could not hold off the Presidents’ Trophy winners.

“This one stings. Love the guys. Love the coaching staff. The whole organization,” Minnesota defenseman Quinn Hughes said. “We felt like we had a really good team. You get through these guys, you never know. But if we had to lose, you want to lose to these guys. They’re the best.”

Both teams were shorthanded due to injuries. Minnesota was without Joel Eriksson Ek and Jonas Brodin for the entire series, while Zach Bogosian was scratched for Game 5. Colorado also played without Artturi Lehkonen and Sam Malinski for a second straight game due to upper-body injuries.

Minnesota briefly controlled the tempo early, taking a 3-0 lead in the first period. However, Colorado steadily tilted the ice as the game progressed, finishing the first half of the third period with just four shots on goal before mounting its late push.

Jack Drury cut the deficit to 3-2 at 16:27 of the third period when he tipped a Devon Toews shot past Wallstedt. Shortly after, Wedgewood was pulled for an extra attacker.

The move paid off when Nečas found MacKinnon down low, and MacKinnon buried a sharp-angle shot at 18:37 to force overtime.

Minnesota opened the scoring just 34 seconds into the game when Johansson converted early. Foligno added two goals in the first period, including one that stood after a video review overturned a potential Minnesota hand-pass infraction on a disallowed tally.

Colorado’s pressure finally broke through in the second period when Kelly redirected a Brent Burns point shot at 11:00 to get the Avalanche on the board.

From there, Colorado’s late surge and overtime execution completed the comeback and ended Minnesota’s playoff run.

-Field Level Media/Reuters