Minnesota Wild vs Colorado Avalanche Picks and Prediction for Sunday May 3 2026

By: Kim Smith Published 05/03/2026, 12:05 AM ET

The Minnesota Wild will take on the Colorado Avalanche in Game 1 of the Western Conference Second Round at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at 9:00 PM. The game will be broadcast on TNT, truTV, and HBO Max, as both teams begin a new series after advancing through the opening round. Colorado enters as the favorite with a moneyline of -185, while Minnesota comes in at +154. The total is set at 5.5 goals, with the over priced at -125 and the under at +105. The spread shows Minnesota at +1.5 and Colorado at -1.5 heading into this matchup. Be ready for all the NHL action with our Free NHL picks.

Previous Game Recap

Minnesota enters this series after a decisive 5-2 win over Dallas to close out the first round. The Wild took control early and steadily built their lead, scoring in each period and finishing strong with three goals in the third. Dallas managed to respond in the second period but was unable to match Minnesota’s pace as the Wild pulled away late to secure the series-clinching victory.

The Wild were led by an outstanding performance from Matt Boldy, who scored two goals and finished with a strong presence throughout the game. Quinn Hughes also delivered a dominant showing with two goals and an assist, driving play from the blue line and contributing heavily to the offensive output. Vladimir Tarasenko added a goal, while Marcus Foligno and Mats Zuccarello each recorded an assist to support the scoring effort. In net, Jesper Wallstedt stopped 21 of 23 shots, providing a steady presence that allowed Minnesota to maintain control of the game.

Colorado comes into this series after a commanding 5-1 win over Los Angeles to complete a sweep in the first round. The Avalanche set the tone early and continued to build their advantage, scoring consistently across all three periods. Los Angeles managed a single goal in the second period, but Colorado responded with three goals in the third to put the game out of reach and close out the series in dominant fashion.

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Minnesota Carrying Momentum Into Round Two

The Wild enter this matchup with a 46-24-12 record and a 23-14-4 mark on the road. Minnesota has won three of its last five games, recently winning over Dallas multiple times while also dropping close contests earlier in that series. The most recent result was a 5-2 win over Dallas, which secured their advancement into the second round.

Minnesota averages 3.27 goals per game while allowing 2.87 goals against. They generate 29.2 shots per game and allow 29.4 shots against. On special teams, the Wild have produced 65 power-play goals with a strong 25.2 percent conversion rate, while their penalty kill sits at 79.8 percent with 43 goals allowed. These numbers show a team that can produce offensively while maintaining a relatively balanced defensive profile.

A key strength for Minnesota is its power-play efficiency. With a 25.2 percent success rate, the Wild have demonstrated the ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities, which can be critical in tight playoff matchups. Their offensive production also provides consistent scoring support, helping them stay competitive in close games.

Colorado Looking to Extend Dominance at Home

The Avalanche come into this game with a 55-16-11 record and a 26-9-6 record at home. Colorado has won its last five games, recently winning over Los Angeles multiple times to complete a sweep, as well as securing a win over Seattle prior to the series. Their most recent result was a 5-1 victory over Los Angeles, continuing their strong run of form.

Colorado averages 3.63 goals per game while allowing just 2.40 goals against. They generate 33.7 shots per game and allow only 26.1 shots against. On special teams, the Avalanche have recorded 45 power-play goals with a 17.1 percent success rate, while their penalty kill stands at 84.6 percent with 36 goals allowed. These numbers reflect a team that combines offensive pressure with strong defensive structure.

The key strength for Colorado is its defensive efficiency. With a lower goals-against average and fewer shots allowed per game, the Avalanche consistently limit scoring chances. Combined with their high shot volume offensively, this creates a strong advantage in controlling the pace of play.

Minnesota Wild vs Colorado Avalanche Picks and Prediction

Moneyline Pick

Colorado Avalanche Moneyline

Colorado is the pick based on its overall consistency and home performance. The Avalanche have won five straight games and bring a strong combination of offensive production and defensive efficiency into this matchup. With a lower goals-against average and a significant advantage in shots generated and allowed, Colorado is well-positioned to control the game, especially on home ice.

Total Pick (Over/Under)

Over 5.5

The over is the preferred play based on both teams’ offensive capabilities. Minnesota averages 3.27 goals per game, while Colorado averages 3.63, indicating strong scoring potential on both sides. Minnesota’s power-play efficiency also adds another layer of offensive opportunity. With both teams coming off high-scoring wins to close out the first round, this matchup has the potential to exceed the total.

Final Score Prediction: Colorado Avalanche 4 – Minnesota Wild 3