Postgame: Avalanche Drop Game 3 In Minnesota, Sets Up Pivotal Game 4

Q: What was the final score of Game 3 between the Avalanche and Wild?

The final score was 5-1 in favor of the Minnesota Wild.

Q: Who scored the only goal for the Colorado Avalanche in Game 3?

Nathan MacKinnon scored the only goal for the Avalanche.

Q: What were the Avalanche's special teams statistics in Game 3?

The Avalanche went 0-for-2 on the power play and 0-for-2 on the penalty kill.

Q: What is at stake in Game 4 of the Avalanche vs. Wild series?

Game 4 is pivotal as the Minnesota Wild have a chance to tie the series before returning to Denver.

May 9, 2026; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Wild right wing Ryan Hartman (38) is congratulated by teammates after scoring on the Colorado Avalanche in the second period of game three of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Grand Casino Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images They say a series hasn’t started until the home team loses. That was one of the things the Minnesota Wild were riding on after losing two games at Ball Arena. And that’s exactly what we have, for at least another game. The Colorado Avalanche suffered their first loss of the postseason on Saturday night, falling 5-1 to the Wild at Grand Casino Arena in Game 3. Nathan MacKinnon had the Avalanche’s lone tally. It came when they were already down by three goals. The Wild were the better team in nearly all aspects, and it reflected in the result. “We’ve got to do more to make that game a lot more even than it was offensively and defensively,” Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar said. “That wasn’t a detail thing for me. That was a determination and competitive loss tonight. They did a lot more than us to win that hockey game.” Scott Wedgewood started the game for the Avalanche before getting yanked. He let in three goals on 12 shots, while came in and stopped 12-of-13. It was Blackwood’s playoff debut, and his first in-game action since April 14. “I thought Wedgie was playing hard, you know, I think maybe he looked a little too aggressive on a couple of those,” Bednar said. “From what I’ve seen out of Blackwood here recently, and a rested guy and a guy that we trust, I felt like it was a good opportunity for us to get him in and see if it sparked our group, and if he could maybe close the door the rest of the way.” Suddenly, the two teams are going to play an even more pivotal Game 4, with getting a golden opportunity to send the series back to Denver all knotted up. “They know what they have to do,” Blackwood said. “I’ve got the most confidence that they’re going to come out hard and play the right way.” It felt like a feel-out early for the Avalanche. They weathered a ton of hits, as the Wild were throwing their bodies around right from the opening puck drop. The best scoring opportunity when the game was still scoreless belonged to . he was sprung in on a mini breakaway but made the save. The Wild turned back to Wallstedt after he sat for Game 2. In the opening game of the series, Wallstedt surrendered eight goals in what was, at the time, his seventh consecutive start. He made 34 saves to earn the win and likely the crease moving forward. Moments after the Kelly chance, went on the power play, but it was killed off. And with Wild forward Ryan Hartman and Kelly in the box for matching roughing minors, the goals started to pile on. First, it was Kirill Karpizov nabbing his fourth of the playoffs while teams played 4-on-4. On the very next shift, took a hooking penalty, giving the Wild an advantageous 4-on-3 power play. scored to double the lead. In the second period, the Wild got another power play and capitalized on that one, too. It was 3-0 before the first T.V. timeout of the middle frame. It was also the end of Wedgewood’s night. Everything was coming up for the Wild until their physicality got the best of them. was called for interference. On the ensuing power play, defenseman pushed Gabe into Wallstedt. MacKinnon scored on the open net, and the officials still counted it. They were adamant that the goalie interference was self-inflicted — rightfully so. For a brief moment, it felt like that moment could turn the game. But that wasn’t the case. Bednar sent his fourth line out for the very next shift, and Logan O’Connor was called for a delay penalty on the forecheck. Before the Avs could touch the puck, the Wild added another tally, making it 4-1 just 20 seconds after the Avalanche goal. They added an empty-netter from just before the buzzer.