Welcome to the NHL Predictions for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Each day, our writers here at Last Word On Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the Colorado Avalanche against the Minnesota Wild in Game 3 of Western Conference second-round playoff action. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers will continue this series throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs, up to the final game.
NHL Predictions with Colorado Avalanche at Minnesota Wild
Series: Colorado leads 2-0
Time: 9:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) | 6:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)
How to Watch: Canada: Sportsnet+, SN, SN1, CBC, TVAS, TVAS+
United States: HBO Max, TNT, truTV
Location: Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Minnesota
Credit Image: © Spencer Lee/ZUMA Press Wire
The seemingly unstoppable Colorado Avalanche take their 6-0 Stanley Cup Playoff record into Minnesota, looking to take a stranglehold in the series. Both teams locked it down a bit more in Game 2, but the Avalanche still emerged victorious in a 5-2 result. Now, Minnesota is in must-win territory if they want to stay in this series.
The Avalanche Story
It was a much less chaotic game in Game 2, but once again, Colorado showed that they can adapt to any style of play. They were outshot 31-23, but Scott Wedgewood bounced back with a 29-save performance after allowing six goals in Game 1. Nathan MacKinnon recorded three points in Game 2 and six points total in the series. Devon Toews has four points, and Norris Trophy finalist Cale Makar also has three points in the series.
The Wild Story
Minnesota was able to outshoot Colorado in Game 2, but that was about all they could do to outdo them in. They only won 23 out of 62 faceoffs (37.1%), and gave up two power play goals, dropping their penalty kill percentage to 59.4% in the playoffs. Without Joel Eriksson Ek and Jonas Brodin in the lineup, two key penalty killers, the rest of the series will be an uphill climb for the Wild. Eriksson Ek skated on Friday morning, and head coach John Hynes said that he would be a game-time decision for Game 3.
🗣️ Coach Hynes with an update on Joel Eriksson Ek pic.twitter.com/Mpt6n471X8
— x – Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) May 8, 2026
As for goaltending, Filip Gustavsson made his first appearance of the playoffs, but in a losing effort as he made just 18 saves on 22 shots.
Starting Goalies
Below are the projected starters for tonight’s game. Please check social media for the most updated information before locking in your daily fantasy lineups.
For Colorado, Scott Wedgewood will likely start. He had a solid bounce-back game in Game 2 with 29 saves on 31 shots. Wedgewood remains undefeated in this year’s playoffs with a 6-0 record, a 2.12 goals-against average, and a .923 save percentage.
For Minnesota, we expect that Jesper Wallstedt will return to the net. He allowed eight goals in Game 1, leading to a Gustavsson start in Game 2. Wallstedt has a 4-3 record, a 2.81 goals-against average, and a .903 save percentage in the playoffs.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets
Can we really bet against the undefeated Colorado Avalanche right now? It seems like fate that they are on track to face the Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Finals, with how well both teams have been playing. Minnesota needs this game, but with their injuries, they might not have the horses to compete. Perhaps the brooms need to be taken out of the closet after this game.
Prediction: Avalanche win 4-2.
Best Bets
To wrap things up, here are our anytime goal scorer picks. On the Avalanche side, we will pick Nathan MacKinnon to score as he has done regularly in this series. For the Wild, we will pick Matt Boldy, their leading scorer, to get an all-important goal.
Main Photo Credit: Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
