Avalanche Advance to Western Conference Final with Comeback in Game 5
Written By Joise Dinonsie
DENVER — After falling behind 3-0 early in Game 5, the Colorado Avalanche rallied past the Minnesota Wild for a 4-3 victory at Ball Arena. The Avalanche are headed to the Western Conference Final for the first time since winning the Stanley Cup in 2022.
The Avalanche tied the game in the final minutes before battling their way to overtime, where Brett Kulak scored the game-winning, series-clinching goal at 3:52 of the extra period. The win highlighted Colorado’s resilience and championship mentality, as the team overcame a rough start to complete the comeback.
The game initially appeared to belong to the Wild, who struck quickly with a goal from Marcus Johansson just 34 seconds into the opening period. Minnesota continued its momentum with two goals from veteran forward Nick Foligno, building a 3-0 lead and silencing the Denver crowd that hoped to celebrate a series-clinching victory.
However, the Avalanche used the first intermission as an opportunity to regroup and refocus on their identity and style of play. Beginning with a goaltending change, Colorado reset quickly and returned to playing its signature brand of hockey.
Just past the halfway point of the second period, the Avalanche’s persistence paid off when Parker Kelly tipped a puck into the net to cut the deficit to 3-1. The goal reignited both the crowd at Ball Arena and the home team, shifting the momentum back in Colorado’s favor.
The Avalanche continued to dominate in the third period, applying relentless pressure against a Wild team desperately trying to avoid elimination. Minnesota managed to withstand the attack for most of the period and came within minutes of forcing a Game 6.
Championship-level teams, though, do not need much time to completely change the outcome of a game. Colorado proved that when Jack Drury scored to make it 3-2 with 3:33 remaining, and Nathan MacKinnon delivered again by tying the game with 1:23 left. MacKinnon’s goal was the type only elite scorers can produce, a sharp, precise wrist shot into the upper corner.
After surrendering their lead, the Wild appeared depleted as they tried to regain control in overtime. Meanwhile, the Avalanche entered the extra frame with the confidence and composure they have built throughout the postseason.
Colorado capitalized on its strengths and rewarded its fans with a dramatic 4-3 victory, capped by Kulak’s heroic overtime winner that propelled the team into the Western Conference Final. At the center of the Avalanche’s success is the fact that, despite their star-studded roster, the team’s depth continues to play a critical role in its status as a Stanley Cup contender.
“It’s not just one guy who chips in and takes over the minutes, I think everyone has to chip in, and the whole team has to just play solid hockey,” said Kulak postgame.
“They are doing an unreal job, and you know we wouldn’t be here without them (the fourth line), it just shows you need literally everybody to win even a series in this league,” MacKinnon added.
This game demonstrated that the Avalanche are built for moments like these and capable of taking over games and series with both talent and depth. They now await the winner of the Vegas Golden Knights and Anaheim Ducks series as they look to continue their postseason run.
