The Colorado Avalanche defeated the Minnesota Wild 9-6 in a thrilling playoff opener on May 3, 2026, at Ball Arena in Denver. This game marked an extraordinary display of offensive skill from both teams.
Early in the game, Cale Makar scored two goals for the Avalanche. The team’s total of nine goals set a franchise record for most goals scored in a playoff game.
As the game progressed, Jesper Wallstedt struggled in goal for the Wild, allowing eight goals—his career high. This was a shocking turn after the Wild had outscored the Dallas Stars 14-4 in their previous series.
The match featured a total of 15 goals, tying it for fifth place in NHL playoff history. The offensive showcase kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Within hours of the final whistle, Avalanche coach Jared Bednar remarked, “If you scripted that one, I don’t know how you do.” His team improved to a perfect 5-0 postseason record with this victory.
Mats Zuccarello from the Wild commented on their performance: “I don’t think we’ve done that all year, but they came out strong.” This loss raises questions about how the Wild will respond in Game 2.
The Avalanche’s defensemen also made history by contributing at least ten points during this match—a first for any NHL team in playoff history.
Nazem Kadri expressed satisfaction with their offensive output, stating, “We certainly wanted to come in and challenge him and force him to make some good saves.” The Avalanche did just that.
The next game is crucial for both teams as they look to establish momentum early in this series. Fans eagerly await Game 2 to see if the Wild can bounce back from this high-scoring defeat.