Nathan MacKinnon’s late-game heroics fueled a stunning Colorado comeback, erasing a dominant Minnesota start to snap a 17-year home drought and shatter the Wild’s postseason dreams in Game 5.
Well, Game 5 was a thriller if you are a hockey fan. With tons of emotions for both fanbases, the Colorado Avalanche came up with a huge 4-3 win to eliminate the Minnesota Wild in the second round.
With the win, the Avalanche snapped a 17-year drought of not closing out a series on home ice.
Minnesota came out with an early lead by scoring three quick goals. It was almost four goals when Michael McCarron's goal in the first period was later overturned and ruled that he had put it in with his hand.
But not long after the disallowed goal, Nick Foligno got the Wild back on the board with his second of the game to make it 3-0.
That was all for MacKenzie Blackwood as Scott Wedgewood got the second period.
The change in goal seemed to be the difference maker because Minnesota could only muster eight shots on Wedgewood in the second and third period.
Colorado outshot the Wild 18-8 in the last two periods and scored three goals.
Parker Kelly got the Avalanche on the board in the second period with a tip-in. Jack Drury scored late in the third with another tip and Nathan MacKinnon, who had nine shots in the first three periods, ripped one home to tie it with under two minutes left in the game.
Matt Boldy, Kirill Kaprizov, Quinn Hughes, Brock Faber, Mats Zuccarello and Marcus Johansson had a combined eight shots in three periods.
Brett Kulak ended the Wild's season to finish the comeback in overtime by scoring off the rush.
Even after taking a commanding 3-0 lead in the first period, Minnesota managed just eight shots over the final 40 minutes and overtime as its season came to a stunning end.
Instead of forcing a Game 6 back in St. Paul, the Wild watched Colorado complete the comeback and advance to the Western Conference Final.
The Wild now enter what could be one of the most important offseasons in franchise history after another playoff disappointment despite expectations of a deep Stanley Cup run.
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