First Period

The start of the game was fierce, technical, and exciting throughout. However, some of that excitement took a scary turn when Minnesota forward Marcus Foligno rocked Cale Makar with a massive hit and Makar went immediately down the tunnel.

The Avalanche killed off a holding penalty issued to Nazem Kadri just past the halfway point as both teams had four shots on net.

Colorado turned the frown upside down with 8:48 to go when Martin Necas carried the puck into the attacking zone, surveyed the ice, and found Sam Malinski from the right circle and Malinski sniped one by Jesper Wallstedt to give Colorado a 1-0 lead.

Less than a minute later, Jack Drury scored off a rebound to double the lead. Then on the next sequence, Wild defenseman Brock Faber cross-checked Gabe Landeskog after a whistle and the Avalanche captain responded with fists, landing a series of punches on Faber. Both men were penalized for roughing. However, Faber was issued an additional minor for cross-checking, thus giving Colorado a power play.