The Colorado Avalanche erased a 3-0 deficit in a dramatic 4-3 overtime win against the Minnesota Wild in Wednesday's Game 5 to punch their ticket to the Western Conference Final.
Brett Kulak scored the winner 3:52 into the extra frame off a great feed from Martin Necas.
BRETT KULAK ENDS THE SERIES 🚨 pic.twitter.com/RpBoVSqzbl
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) May 14, 2026
The Avalanche will compete in the Western Conference Final against either the Vegas Golden Knights or the Anaheim Ducks. Vegas leads the series 3-2.
The Wild looked to be in cruise control after jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first period. In response, the Avalanche pulled Mackenzie Blackwood, who allowed three goals on 13 shots in the opening 20 minutes. That decision turned out to be the turning point of the game, as Colorado dominated the rest of the way. Scott Wedgewood wasn't tested often, but he stopped all seven shots he faced in relief.
Parker Kelly and Jack Drury scored off deflections to narrow the deficit to a single goal. With just 1:23 left in regulation, Nathan MacKinnon beat Jesper Wallstedt upstairs with a ridiculous shot to tie the game and force overtime.
The Avalanche prevailed despite Cale Makar playing through an apparent injury. He left the game briefly in the third period after a collision with Mats Zuccarello and appeared to be favoring his shoulder.
Cale Makar heads down the tunnel after colliding with Mats Zuccarello. pic.twitter.com/qcrUDW4SGg
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 14, 2026
Makar still logged 25:50 in the contest, the third-most among Avalanche defensemen. However, Brent Burns was manning the point with the net empty during MacKinnon's late equalizer, even though Makar had already returned to the game.
Marcus Johansson opened the scoring 34 seconds into the contest for the Wild. Nick Foligno, in potentially the final game of his 19-year NHL career, scored a pair of goals.
The Wild have played in just one conference final in franchise history, which came during their third season in 2003.
