3 Takeaways From the Avalanche’s 4-3 Game 5 Win Over the Wild

Coming out of their Game 4 win over the Minnesota Wild, it seemed like the Colorado Avalanche had found another gear. With a trip to the Western Conference Final on the line, all that was left to do was to close out the Wild on home ice in Game 5.

It looked dicey for a long time, but the Avalanche pulled off a furious comeback before Brett Kulak ended the series in overtime. The Avalanche walked out with a stunning 4-3 win, and these are the most important takeaways.

Down but Never Out

It’s not that the best teams don’t ever have bad starts, it’s more that they write those off quickly and find a way to persevere. That is exactly what the Avalanche did on Wednesday. The Wild jumped out to a 3-0 first period lead thanks to a pair of goals by Nick Foligno, and it felt like we had already moved on to Game 6.

It didn’t happen all at once, but the Avalanche chipped away. Though he has still managed to produce, Quinn Hughes was getting it from all over, making him think twice when he had the puck. Parker Kelly scored midway through the second and a glimmer of hope emerged.

With less than four minutes remaining, the Avalanche got goals from the bottom of the lineup (Jack Drury) and the top (Nathan MacKinnon). With less than 90 seconds to go, the Avalanche had erased the deficit, stolen the momentum, and stunned the Wild.

The Goaltending is Something to Consider

Mackenzie Blackwood got the nod in Game 4 and had himself a good game. He had been up-and-down this season, but it felt reassuring that the Avalanche could roll two goalies effectively in the playoffs.

This game was a different story. Blackwood wasn’t awful but wasn’t what the Avalanche needed him to be. Rebounds were the biggest issue and led to both goals from Foligno. These weren’t obvious “what are you doing?” goals but they could have gone another way. What’s worse is that Minnesota’s initial third goal was called off or it would have been even uglier.

Thankfully, Scott Wedgewood came back in at the start of the second period and shut the door. The first two games of the series were very un-Wedgewood-like but he came in when he was most needed and delivered in every sense of the word. It seems clear who will get the nod to start the Western Conference Final.

The MVP

The best teams get to the next level because of their top players. The Avalanche completed the comeback because their perennial Hart Trophy finalist ripped an absolute bullet from an impossible angle to tie the game late.

MacKinnon has always been a warrior, but it has really come out in this series. He took a puck to the face in Game 4, dripping blood as he went to the bench. He got hit with another shot in this one yet was right there when the Avalanche needed him most.

MacKinnon is now tied for fifth in playoff scoring with 13 points, a pivotal part of this dominant run by the Avalanche. If the Avalanche complete their quest, you can bet your bottom dollar that MacKinnon will be the driving factor.

Avalanche Advance

With this wild (pun intended) overtime winner, the Avalanche advance to the Western Conference Final. We could find out as soon as Thursday who the Avalanche will face as the Vegas Golden Knights look to eliminate the Anaheim Ducks.

No matter who they face, the Avalanche have put the league on notice. They are a dominant group in all facets and even if you get them on the ropes, they can punch their way out of it at any moment. That’s what a Stanley Cup champion does.