The Colorado Avalanche completed the best regular-season in franchise history, swept the Los Angeles Kings in the first round. Next up is the Minnesota Wild after they upset the Dallas Stars in six games. Here’s a breakdown of the Avs’ second-round series with the Wild, who have advanced past the second round just once in their history, in 2003.
Avalanche vs. Wild matchups: Who has the edge?
¾:46-24-12, 104 points; 3.27 goals per game (t-10th), 2.87 goals against per game (4th)
Avalanche: 55-16-11, 121 points; 3.63 goals per game (1st), 2.40 goals against per game (1st)
Offense
Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy each surpassed 40 goals this season. It’s the first time in franchise history the club has had two 35-goal scorers in a season, let alone 40. No one else besides those two had more than 54 points, but Quinn Hughes and Mats Zuccarello combined for 107 in 107 games. The Wild had nine players collect at least 40 points, second only to Buffalo’s 10.
This was already the deepest offensive team in the Kaprizov era, but adding Hughes on Dec. 13 was the biggest trade of the 2025-26 NHL season. The Minnesota version of Hughes over 82 games would have been a no-doubt Norris Trophy contender. The Wild were 25th in goals per game on the day of the trade (2.81) and then scored 3.55 per contest after the deal, which was fifth in the league.
Minnesota added DU alum Bobby Brink before the deadline, but he was pulled from the lineup after four games against Dallas. Another deadline addition, Michael McCarron, had two goals in the series as part of a bulked-up bottom six that gave the Stars all kinds of problems with their physicality and won their minutes on the scoreboard. It is worth noting that none of those bottom-six guys had an expected goals for percentage above 50%, and five of them were below 44% against Dallas. No. 1 center Joel Eriksson Ek is also questionable for Game 1.
Colorado did not put on a fireworks show against Los Angeles as many pundits predicted. Nathan MacKinnon had one point in the first three games, but racked up three in the clincher. Artturi Lehkonen has been a playoff hero for much of his career, and he was arguably Colorado’s best forward against the Kings. The third line, with Gabe Landeskog, Nazem Kadri and Nicolas Roy, combined for seven of the forwards’ 18 even-strength points in the series.
One line that didn’t get rolling against the Kings, at least offensively, was the second trio — Brock Nelson, Val Nichushkin and Ross Colton or Parker Kelly. That line did have a large say in the Kings’ top trio being a non-factor at 5-on-5.
Advantage: Avalanche, but closer than you might think
Defense
Hughes will likely miss out on being a Norris finalist because of a bad start to the year with Vancouver, but there’s no question he’s still one of the top two defensemen in the sport. Adding Hughes was big for everyone, but maybe Brock Faber benefited the most. He’s a great young defenseman, but he’s a bit like a younger Devon Toews — he could be a No. 1 on some teams, but slots in as one of the best No. 2s in the league.
Jonas Brodin missed Game 6 and was reportedly seen leaving the are arena after Game 5 on crutches and in a walking boot. He’s not traveling for Game 1. He and captain Jared Spurgeon are a strong second pair, but pull Brodin out and the back half of Minnesota’s defense corps quickly looks pretty average.
Makar will likely miss out on winning the Norris for the third time in his career, but could still be a finalist and there is no question he’s still one of the top two defensemen in the sport. This could be a huge series for Toews. Avs coach Jared Bednar could split him and Makar up, depending on some matchups. He and Sam Malinski have been really good together when Bednar has done that.
Malinski is one of the breakout performers of the season. Brett Kulak has been exactly what the Avs wanted when they traded Samuel Girard for him. Brent Burns looked like a younger version of himself against the Kings. The only question here is Josh Manson, who also missed the final game of Colorado’s sweep. Like the Wild, the Avs aren’t particularly deep after the top-six guys.
Advantage: Avalanche, but closer than you might think
Special teams
Minnesota had the third-best power play in the league this season at 25.2%. The top two clubs, Edmonton and Dallas, were eliminated in the first round. The Wild were 10th at 21.8% before Hughes arrived and third at 27.7% with him. Minnesota’s big three, plus Eriksson Ek, are staples on PP1. The other spot was split between a couple of guys. The Wild went 4 for 25 in the first round with the extra man.
Dallas did score on this penalty kill, almost at will at times. The Stars went 10 for 25 on the power play. Minnesota’s penalty kill was 16th in the regular season. It’s worth noting the Wild were shorthanded the fourth-fewest times in the regular season, but tied for the most among Western Conference clubs in the opening round.
Colorado’s power play was terrible for much of the season, very good in March and then so-so in April. The Avs scored once in 11 chances against the Kings and will probably need more in this series. They scored twice against the Wild in four games this season while allowing two shorthanded goals, though one of those was into an empty net.
The Avs had the best penalty kill in the NHL this season. Minnesota went 3 for 14 against them in the regular season. Los Angeles scored three power-play goals against them, though two were 4-on-6 goals while holding a multi-goal advantage.
Advantage: Wild
Goaltending
Filip Gustavsson began the season as Minnesota’s No. 1 goalie and actually out-started Jesper Wallstedt, 49-33. Wallstedt had a great start to the season, which eventually made the position an equal timeshare. Wallstedt got the nod to start against Dallas because of a strong finish to the season as well, and was excellent against the Stars, posting a .924 save percentage.
Scott Wedgewood began the season as Colorado’s de facto No. 1 because of an injury to Mackenzie Blackwood. While Blackwood was excellent after his season got going, he had a midseason funk. Wedgewood has been consistent and has become one of the best stories in hockey this year. He led the NHL in both goals against average (2.01) and save percentage (.921).
Bednar said both goaltenders will play, but Wedgewood allowed five goals in four games against the Kings. He saved 6.0 goals above expected, which is second in the postseason so far. He was not a Vezina Trophy finalist, and the Avs’ overall strength in front of him was likely a big reason. If he excels in this series, there will be no space left for anyone to pick nits at his numbers or overall performance.
Advantage: Avalanche
Avalanche vs. Wild: 5 storylines to watch
1. The Superstars: MacKinnon, Makar and Martin Necas vs. Kaprizov, Hughes and Boldy should be a marketing dream for the NHL. Three world-class talents each. The Canada vs. United States rivalry renewed. Makar vs. Hughes alone will absorb a whole bunch of oxygen in this series.
2. The Other Guys: Meanwhile, it’s pretty likely that the second layer of stars could determine the outcome of this series. Dallas’ top five guys from the regular season all produced like stars in the first round. The Stars’ No. 6 scorer from the regular season, Roope Hintz, didn’t play because of injury. Seven through 12 on their scoring list combined for one goal and three points. Colorado’s second wave of talent is better than Minnesota’s, but so was Dallas’ on paper, at least.
3. Heavy hockey: One of the main narratives from the Stars-Wild series was that Minnesota’s physical play wore down Dallas and was a major factor. The Wild’s third and fourth lines are filled with players who are either large, embrace abrasive hockey or both. They are going to believe they can bully the Avs the way they believe they bullied the Stars.
4. Centers of attention: These teams are very similar, on paper, at nearly every position. Center is the one spot where Colorado has a clear advantage. MacKinnon is without peer in this series. Nelson and Eriksson Ek are similar players, but the latter is questionable for Game 1. Kadri versus Ryan Hartman is pretty close as well, with maybe a slight edge to the latter, but again, that’s Minnesota’s second center against Colorado’s third. If the Avs are able to assert this advantage, it could be a huge swing in their favor. The Avs should rule the middle of the ice in any game that Eriksson Ek doesn’t play in. If they don’t, it could spell trouble.
5. Tested vs. rested: The Wild are going to believe that because the Stars are a much better team than the Kings, they’re more battle-tested for what’s to come. The Avs are going to believe the extra rest will be a weapon, and the Kings offered a specific type of challenge that they met, and their adaptability will be a reason why they can win whatever type of series this becomes.
Avalanche vs. Wild series predictions
Corey Masisak, beat writer: It’s interesting that winning the division was seen as a huge advantage during the regular season, because the Avs avoided two of these slugfest-type series with great opponents. Now that the Wild have sent the Stars home while the Avs cruised past the Kings, the narrative has shifted in the opposite direction. I don’t buy that Minnesota has an advantage. The Wild played the equivalent of seven hard-fought games because of the extra overtimes. They have two key players who are either out or could be compromised by injury. Colorado has been a better team than Dallas at 5-on-5 this year and has a deeper lineup. Avs in six.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: Welcome to the Western Conference Final, a round too early. The Avalanche lead by a nose on scoring diversity and home ice, but the margins that separate these two are crazy close. Which brings us back to special teams — and sweaty palms. Minnesota’s power play hasn’t remotely been in the same league as the Stars were with an extra man, and the Avs’ penalty-kill units have been one of the most dominant yet least discussed groups in the NHL all season. Over the last eight meetings between Colorado and the Wild, when the Avs have produced more special-teams goals, they went 3-1-2. Keep that coffee close, this one smells like it’s bringing multiple overtimes to the party. And that’s where the Avs’ depth should pull this sled over the line. Eventually. Avs in six.
Troy Renck, sports columnist: It is left to the Avs to clean up the Nuggets’ mess in Minnesota. The state is rallying around a Wild team that won its first playoff series since 2015. This is the most talented Minnesota NHL team by any name. Shame, the Avs have to crush their dreams. This series is more evenly matched than most think. But as long as the Avs are functional with their specialty units — somebody please plug in the power play — they will win a way that is both pretty and ugly. Avs in six.
Lori Punko, deputy sports editor: Everyone knows Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Necas and Cale Makar can find the net. And the Wild’s inefficient penalty kill (60%) should provide opportunities on the power play. Minnesota allowed 10 power-play goals against on 25 opportunities in its first-round series. On the other end of the ice, Scott Wedgewood has the third-best GAA in the playoffs at a stingy 1.21. Meanwhile, the Wild’s Jesper Wallstedt has given up 2.05 goals per game. The Avs, not having to carry the emotional baggage that would have come with facing the Stars, are able to steal a game in Minnesota and advance. Avs in five.
Kyle Newman, sportswriter: In the first major test of the playoffs for Colorado, the Wild pushes the Avs to the brink before the Avs respond with a blowout win in the final game to advance. Colorado’s two reliable goalies come in handy, as MacKenzie Blackwood registers a couple of wins in relief of Scott Wedgewood, who looks a little shaky for the first time in the playoffs. In the end, Martin Necas scores multiple times in Game 7 to propel the Avs to the Western Conference finals. Avs in seven.
