Wild vs. Avalanche Game 2 playoff picks: Expect another Colorado victory … but not 15 total goals scored again

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There were 14 unique goalscorers overall on Sunday. The only playoff games in history to feature as many were Kings-Oilers in Game 1 of the 1982 division semifinals (15) and Kings-Flames Game 6 of the 1993 division semifinals (14).

"You should win when you score six," Minnesota's Mats Zuccarello said. "But not when you let in nine."

It was the fourth time this postseason the Wild allowed the game's first goal but only the second time in franchise history losing when scoring at least six goals. They were not full strength as veteran center Joel Erikkson Ek and blue-liner Jonas Brodin were out injured. Neither will play in Game 2, as neither even traveled to Denver.

Eriksson Ek had 51 points and a plus-16 rating during the regular season. He had three goals and two assists in the Wild's first-round series win over Dallas and finished with a 56.4% face-off win rate. Brodin had 18 points and was plus-19 during the year.  Colorado was without defenseman Josh Manson, who missed the series clincher against the Kings because of an upper-body injury. Minnesota has lost seven straight playoff series when dropping Game 1 (2-11 all-time).

The Wild look to score at least five goals in three consecutive postseason games for the first time in team annals. Quinn Hughes can become the third defenseman in NHL playoff history with three consecutive three-point games but is +650 for at least three.

I rather doubt either head coach makes a goalie change in the wake of the opener, although if Jesper Wallstedt is hammered again for the Wild then we might see Filip Gustavsson. He was the No. 1 guy much of the regular season but has not seen the ice in the playoffs. Coach John Hynes said he never thought about pulling Wallstedt, and he thought the 23-year-old played well.

Colorado's Scott Wedgewood has 11 straight starts including playoffs. His six goals allowed in the opener were more than he gave up the entire first round vs. Los Angeles (five). Offensively, the Avs can record 11 or more goals through their first two games of a series for the sixth time in team history. I definitely think they are scoring at least three.

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Hit yet another NHL SGP on Monday (thank you Golden Knights and Under). I feel OK about Over 5.5 here because if it's 3-2 in favor of either club with about five minutes left in regulation, the losing team likely pulls the goalie and our chances of getting that sixth goal rise exponentially. Check out other expert picks in the SportsLine daily newsletter.