Minnesota Wild delivered a 5-1 home win over the Colorado Avalanche in the NHL Playoffs at Xcel Energy Center. In front of 19,236 fans, the Wild jumped ahead 2-0 in the first period and never looked back. Despite being outshot 36-26, Minnesota got the goals that mattered and stood tall in net.

Special teams swing, but 5-on-5 is the decider

Minnesota went 2 of 3 on the power play while Colorado finished 1 of 3. The hosts even converted a 4-on-3 and hit 50% on 5-on-4. Yet the real gap came at even strength: the Wild shot 15% at 5-on-5, the Avalanche finished 0% on 29 even-strength attempts. That efficiency set the tone for the night.

Kaprizov and Faber drive the attack

Kirill Kaprizov posted three points with 1 goal and 2 assists, earning the first star. Quinn Hughes added a goal and an assist on the power play and took the second star. Brock Faber matched Kaprizov’s points with 1 goal and 2 assists, including the late helper on the empty-netter. Mats Zuccarello supplied two power-play assists, Ryan Hartman buried a man-advantage marker, and Matt Boldy finished it with the empty net goal.

Avalanche volume meets a hot goalie

Colorado fired 36 shots, led by Gabriel Landeskog’s 7 on target. Nathan MacKinnon scored the visitors’ lone goal on the power play and put 4 shots on net. Cale Makar also registered 4 shots, while Colorado controlled 61% of faceoffs. The problem was finishing, especially at 5-on-5 where the Avs drew a blank.

Wallstedt shuts the door while Wild bring the hits

Jesper Wallstedt stopped 35 of 36 shots for a .972 save percentage and was perfect at even strength. In front of him, Minnesota blocked 15 shots and recorded 39 hits to Colorado’s 25. Marcus Foligno led with 9 hits, and Jared Spurgeon topped the Wild with 3 blocks. The effort limited rebounds and second chances as the clock wound down.

How it affects the series

With the win, Minnesota sit at one series victory while Colorado hold two. All game details, shot maps, and the full box score are available on Sofascore.