Wild Dominate Game 3 to Avoid 3-0 Hole Against Avalanche

Kaprizov, Hughes power Wild past Avalanche in game 3 blowout 

Minnesota scored twice in under two minutes early and added four more to beat Colorado 5-1, keeping their playoff hopes alive heading into Game 4 on May 11.

Kirill Kaprizov and Quinn Hughes each had three points to lead Minnesota to a 5-1 win over Colorado, cutting the Avalanche’s series lead to 2-1...

Minnesota got on the board in the series with a dominant 5-1 win over Colorado on Saturday night in Game 3.

Jesper Wallstedt bounced back in a big way, making 34 saves after sitting out Game 2 for Filip Gustavsson. Colorado suffered their first playoff loss and were limited to one goal despite putting 35 shots on net to Minnesota’s 26.

The Avalanche still lead 2-1 going into Game 4, and the numbers are in their favor. They’re 12-6 in playoff series when up 2-1 after starting at home. The Wild, meanwhile, are 4-5 all-time when down 2-1 after opening on the road.

Game 4 is scheduled for Monday, May 11.

Fast Start for Minnesota — Kaprizov and Hughes Drive the Surge

It took until the 15th minute for the scoring to open, but the Wild struck twice in under two minutes to jump ahead 2-0.

Kirill Kaprizov netted his second of the series and fourth of the playoffs to break the deadlock, with Quinn Hughes picking up the assist. Kaprizov then turned provider, setting up Hughes for the next goal.  

Hughes’ strike was his fourth of the postseason - the most by a defenseman in Wild playoff history - and came after Avalanche goalie Scott Wedgewood lost his stick.

Kaprizov and Hughes are now two multi-point games away from tying Marian Gaborik’s franchise record of most in a single postseason for the Wild, set in 2003.

Colorado came up empty on all three first-period power plays, with both teams recording 10 shots on goal in the opening frame.

Minnesota didn’t wait long to score in the second, finding the net just under five minutes after the break. Ryan Hartman made it 3-0 with his third goal of the season, assisted by Mats Zuccarello for his second point of the night and eighth of the playoffs, and Kaprizov for another helper.

HOLY HARTMAN! 🤯 #StanleyCup

It's now 3-0 for the @mnwild! 🔴🟢

🇺🇸: @NHL_On_TNT
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet & @TVASports pic.twitter.com/NYDuN2G5Iu

— NHL (@NHL) May 10, 2026

That second assist gave Kaprizov five multi-assist playoff games, the most in Wild history, moving him past Zach Parise and Mikko Koivu. After Hartman’s goal, Colorado pulled Wedgewood and turned to Mackenzie Blackwood for his first appearance this postseason.

The Avalanche finally got on the board when Nathan MacKinnon scored his fifth of the playoffs on the power play to make it 3-1. Gabriel Landeskog and Nazem Kadri picked up the assists.

Minnesota answered 20 seconds later to restore the three-goal lead, marking the fastest back-to-back goals by opposing teams in this year’s playoffs. Vladimir Tarasenko’s shot hit Blackwood’s chest and deflected in off Brock Faber for Faber’s fourth goal of the postseason.

Matt Boldy sealed the win with an empty-net goal for his seventh of the playoffs, coming after nearly four straight minutes on the ice to make it 5-1.

Faber recorded the assist, giving him and Kaprizov three points each on the night.

The third period went penalty-free for both teams. Minnesota finished 2-for-3 on the power play, while Colorado went 1-for-3.