Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild Game 3 Preview, Picks & Odds for Saturday, May 9, 2026
After scoring nine goals in game one, the Colorado Avalanche front line were able to carry over their momentum into game two, putting up five goals on the board in their 5-2 win over the Minnesota Wild. An impressive performance when factoring in how well the Wild play on defense, ranking above league average in most defensive metrics.
With Minnesota’s goaltending struggling to give them the production they need to limit the amount of variance in their contests, expect the Wild to continue to find themselves down on the scoreboard. Especially with the Avs back line firing on all cylinders, smothering the Wild who lack the versatility that is needed to break through their coverage while Joel Eriksson Ek is out with an injury.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild Betting Analysis
Since the start of the second round of the playoffs, the Colorado Avalanche front line have had no issue with pressuring the Minnesota Wild’s net, generating nearly eight Expected Goals. A high level of play that has mirrored what the Avs were able to do throughout the regular season, fielding a group who led the league in Expected Goals For in All Situations and in 5-on-5 Play.
Even with the Wild excelling in coverage per their top-10 mark in Expected Goals Against, the Avs aggression forces their back line to scramble, opening up wider shooting lanes in front of the net. When exposed, Filip Gustavsson and Jesper Wallstedt have been unable to hold their ground, giving up a combined 15 goals in two games.
On the other side of the ice, the Avs back line have been in a tier of their own throughout the playoffs, leaping up to the top of the board in Expected Goals Against in All Situations. Their suffocating coverage makes it near impossible for the Wild to generate a high quality Shot on Goal, making it easier for Scott Wedgewood to wall them off at a high rate.
The Wild’s lack of versatility has also been a thorn in their side throughout the series, possessing just four active players who average more than 0.25 Expected Goals per game while Joel Eriksson Ek is out with an injury. If Eriksson Ek is unable to make his return to the ice for game three, then the Avs will be able to continue to shade their coverage towards Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy, making them vulnerable to falling into a prolonged scoring lull.
With Colorado skating circles around the Wild on both sides of the ice, expect the Avs to put together another dominant performance and take a commanding 3-0 series lead. If you want to cut through the juice at the expense of security, you can also place a wager on the Avs to cover the puck line instead.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild Best Bet, Pick & Prediction
Best Bet: Avalanche ML
Score Prediction: Avalanche 4, Wild 2
Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild Game Odds
Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild Game Information
- Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026
- Time: 9:10 p.m. ET
- Network: TNT
- Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
- Venue: Grand Casino Arena – 6 goals per game; 21-21-2 O/U
- Series Score: Avalanche 2-0
Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild Betting Resources
- NHL Playoff Odds
- NHL Game Odds
- NHL Daily Betting Trends
- NHL Starting Goalies
- Stanley Cup Picks
- Conn Smythe Picks
Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild Key Players
Colorado Avalanche
- Nathan MacKinnon – Last Game: (1 Goal, 2 Assists, 5 Shots on Goal)
- Martin Necas – Last Game: (1 Goal, 1 Assist, 3 Shots on Goal)
- Scott Wedgewood – Last Game: (2 Goals Against, 29 Saves)
Minnesota Wild
- Kirill Kaprizov – Last Game: (1 Goal, 0 Assists, 4 Shots on Goal)
- Matt Boldy – Last Game: (0 Goals, 0 Assists, 1 Shot on Goal)
- Filip Gustavsson – Last Game: (4 Goals Against, 18 Saves)
Photo Credit: AP/David Zalubowski
