Minnesota Wild vs. Colorado Avalanche Odds, Picks & Prediction - Game 1

In one of the two games on the docket, the Minnesota Wild are on the road as they travel to take on the Colorado Avalanche in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinals series Sunday night and we have you covered with our Wild vs. Avalanche prediction. Minnesota advanced by beating Dallas 5-2 at home in Game 6 Thursday night. That gave the Wild a 4-2 series victory.

Colorado downed Los Angeles 5-1 on the road last Sunday to sweep the Kings and advance. In the last 10 meetings between the teams, the Avalanche owns a 6-2-2 advantage. Colorado held a 2-1-1 edge in the regular season this year. The Avalanche prevailed 3-2 in a shootout at home in the most recent matchup March 8. Let’s break down this Wild vs. Avalanche matchup.

Wild Look to Carry Momentum Into New Series

Minnesota trailed 2-1 in the series before regrouping against the Stars. The Wild won three straight games, including taking Game 6 at home, to take the series. Minnesota is in the second round for the first time since the 2014-15 season.

Against Dallas in Game 6, Minnesota’s offense broke out and carried them to a victory, clinching the series. In the opening period, the Wild held a 7-4 advantage in shots on goal and skated off with a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes. Quinn Hughes opened the scoring with his first goal of the playoffs at 6:23 with assists going to Marcus Foligno and Nico Sturm. The second period saw the Wild outshot 10-6 and outscored 2-1, leaving the game tied at two at the second intermission. After giving up two unanswered goals to trail 2-1, Vladimir Tarasenko tied the game with his first goal of the playoffs at 17:02. Hughes drew the lone assist on that goal.

In the third period, Minnesota was outshot 9-8 but outscored Dallas 3-0 to earn the win. Hughes gave the Wild a 3-2 lead with his second of the night and the playoffs at 10:38. Brock Faber and Mats Zuccarello drew the assists. Matt Boldy made it 4-2 with his fifth goal of the postseason, into an empty net, at 18:29. Boldy closed the scoring with his second of the night and sixth of the playoffs at 19:45. That marker was unassisted and into an empty net.

Jesper Wallstedt made 21 saves for the Wild, who were outshot 23-21, in the win. Wallstedt (4-2-0, 2.05 GAA, .924 save percentage) is slated to start in goal again here.

Avalanche Seeks to Keep Rolling

Colorado ran their win streak to seven games dating back to the regular season as they stifled the Kings. The Avalanche swept Los Angeles, outscoring the Kings 13-5 in the series.

In Game 4, Colorado took the lead and didn’t relinquish it, dooming the Kings and sending the Avalanche to the second round. The Avalanche owned an 11-7 edge in shots in the opening period and took a 1-0 lead to the dressing room at the first intermission. Nathan MacKinnon opened the scoring with his first of the playoffs at 13:13. Nazem Kadri and Gabriel Landeskog drew the assists on the marker. The second period saw the Avalanche own an 8-7 edge in shots with both teams scoring once, leaving them up 2-1 after 40 minutes. Cale Makar made it a 2-0 game with his second goal of the playoffs, unassisted, at 5:48. The Kings got on the board to narrow the margin.

In the third period, Colorado owned a 13-11 advantage in shots and outscored the Kings 3-0 to secure the win. Nicolas Roy made it a 3-1 game with his second goal of the playoffs at 3:13. Assists for that goal went to Artturi Lehkonen and Sam Malinski. Devon Toews extended to a 4-1 margin with his first of the playoffs at 6:01. MacKinnon and Landeskog drew the assists on the goal. MacKinnon closed the scoring with an empty net goal, his second of the game and playoffs, at 14:22. Martin Necas and Brett Kulak drew the assists.

Scott Wedgewood made 24 saves for Colorado, who owned a 32-25 advantage in shots, in the win. Wedgewood (4-0-0, 1.21 GAA, .950 save percentage) is expected to be in net here.

Stats to Know

Minnesota is:

• Tied for 2nd in the league in the postseason in scoring offense (3.83 goals per game)
• 7th in goals against (2.50 goals per game)
• 7th in power play success (16%)
• 15th in penalty killing (60%)

Colorado is:

• 6th in the league in the postseason in scoring offense (3.25 goals per game)
• Tied for 1st in goals against (1.25)
• 13th in power play success (9.1%)
• 11th in penalty killing (81.3%)

Wild vs. Avalanche Prediction

Minnesota eliminated Dallas in the opening round of the playoffs. Facing a team like the Avalanche is a daunting task, even for a team as talented as the Wild. Colorado led the league in both goals per game and goals against in the regular season. The Avalanche are always tough at home and they have the rest advantage in their favor. Minnesota has the firepower but the Wild has to prove that they can have success in the postseason. Jonas Brodin is out for the Wild while Joel Eriksson Ek is questionable. Therefore, back Colorado to turn in another solid outing for the victory.

Our Prediction: Avalanche -1.5 (DraftKings, +140)