News - Avalanche Crush Wild to Extend Winning Streak

Nathan MacKinnon's scoring prowess was on full display as he netted two goals in the Colorado Avalanche's dominating 5-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild. In a high-paced matchup held on Sunday evening in Saint Paul, Minn., Cale Makar and Brock Nelson both had standout performances with a goal and two assists each, propelling Colorado to their fifth consecutive win. This victory snapped Minnesota's impressive seven-game winning streak, even as the team played their first game with newly acquired Quinn Hughes from Vancouver. The game began without any goals until Mackenzie Blackwood's crucial saves kept the Avalanche competitive before Martin Necas struck late in the first period. Receiving a pass from Makar, Necas rifled the puck over Jesper Wallstedt’s shoulder, setting the tone for Colorado's command over the match. The Avalanche, known for their effective power play strategies, struck twice with a man advantage in the second period. Nelson orchestrated a play that saw MacKinnon scoring with a characteristic slap shot, followed by Makar cruising through the blue line to expand their dominance. This tactical execution placed Colorado comfortably at a 3-0 lead by the end of the second period. Despite an early third-period goal from Ryan Hartman that gave Minnesota a glimmer of hope, Blackwood's defensive brilliance effectively stifled subsequent Wild attacks. The gap widened when Samuel Girard's precision pass found Nelson, who fired home another goal, while MacKinnon capped the night with an empty-netter—his league-leading 30th goal of the season. Jesper Wallstedt, defending Minnesota's net, faced an overwhelming 37 attempts, exhibiting resilience despite the outcome. As the game closed, Colorado's cohesive and aggressive play ensured they left with a decisive win, continuing their ascension in the standings.