In this Stanley Cup Playoff mid-series recap, we will take a look at the series featuring the Minnesota Wild vs Colorado Avalanche. The Wild got a much-needed 5-1 victory in Game 3 to cut the Avs’ lead in the series to 2-1. Finally, they handed Colorado their first postseason loss. Now only the Carolina Hurricanes remain undefeated at 8-0. That puts them just one shy of the 1985 Edmonton Oilers record with nine wins to start the playoffs. Meanwhile, back to Minnesota from their Game 3 performance, and they were able to chase Scott Wedgewood, one of the top playoff performers so far, out of the net. Game 4 will be on Monday, May 11th, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), or 5:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) in Minnesota.
Minnesota Wild vs Colorado Avalanche: An Explosion of Offence
Credit Image: © David Drufke/Southcreek/ZUMAPRESS.com
It has been an offensive outburst here in this matchup to say the least, especially on the Avs side. Compared to the first round, where Colorado only scored 13 goals, they have scored 15 goals already in the first three games. Game 1 was a particularly open game, with Colorado prevailing 9-6. Both teams reined it in Game 2, where the Avs won 5-2. Of course, they only scored a single goal in Game 3. For the Wild, it has been a similar story offensively, with contributions up and down the lineup.
Star Players Have Stolen the Show
The stars on both sides have had an excellent series so far. On the Avs side, Nathan MacKinnon is back to his MacKinnon ways, with three goals and seven points in the series. 11 players in the Colorado lineup have two or more points in this series as well. Quinn Hughes only scored seven goals in the entire regular season, but he has already had four goals in the playoffs and three in this series. Hughes, along with Kirill Kaprizov, leads the Wild with five points in the series so far.
Not-So-Special Teams for the Wild
Both teams have converted on some power play opportunities, but the Wild penalty kill has been much less-than-ideal in these playoffs so far. Minnesota got its PK percentage up to 60% after Game 3, but going forward in this series, they can ill-afford to be as porous on the penalty kill. However, the Wild are still hanging around in this series without two key players and penalty killers in Joel Eriksson Ek and Jonas Brodin. Eriksson Ek was a game-time decision for Game 3, but did not play. If one or both of their injured players can return in the series, that could give the Wild a real shot at the series.
Goaltending Misadventures on Both Sides
Both Jesper Wallstedt of the Wild and Scott Wedgewood of the Avalanche had their respective rough patches in the series. Wallstedt allowed eight goals in Game 1 and lost the net to Filip Gustavsson in Game 2. Gustavsson also struggled in his only start of the playoffs so far. Wedgewood was pulled from Game 3 after allowing three goals on twelve shots, and was replaced by Mackenzie Blackwood. If anything, it just shows that both of these goalies are human, after how amazing they were in the first round. However, Wedgewood and Wallstedt were both instrumental in wins for their respective teams in Games 2 and 3.
Looking Ahead
As mentioned, for Minnesota Wild vs Colorado Avalanche, Game 4 will be on Monday night from Minnesota. Colorado will be looking to respond after a tough Game 3 and will seek a split on the road to take a 3-1 series lead. Minnesota can push this series to a best-of-three if they can hold serve at home once again. After Game 2, it looked like Colorado was on their way to steamrolling the Wild, but Minnesota has proven that they can stay competitive. The Avalanche should look to end this series sooner rather than later, as the Wild’s injured players could return and swing the series the other way if it goes the distance.
Main Photo Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
