Colorado and Minnesota Are About to Drop the Gloves, and the Western Conference Is Watching

The Avalanche punched their ticket to the second round and they're walking straight into a Wild team that just sent Dallas packing. This is the matchup the West didn't see coming, and it's going to be a war.

How Colorado Got Here

The Avalanche made it through the first round and locked in their opponent for round two. According to the league, Colorado will face Minnesota after the Wild advanced past the Stars in their series. Rantanen picked up a fine for cross-checking in Game 6, but that didn't stop the Avalanche from moving on. They're battle-tested and hungry.

Minnesota's Statement Win Changes the Bracket

The Wild just knocked out Dallas in a first-round series that came down to depth and execution. Hughes had a huge game with two of his own in Game 6, capping off a tic-tac-toe power play goal in the slot to put the final nail in. That kind of offensive firepower is exactly what Colorado is about to face in the second round.

This first round has been among the closest in NHL history, and the Wild proved they belong with the best teams in the conference. Now they get Colorado, a team that knows how to win in the postseason.

What's Next

The second round starts now, and the Avalanche-Wild series is locked in. Both teams have momentum, both teams have players peaking at the right time. This is playoff hockey at its finest: two teams that earned their spot, two teams ready to leave everything on the ice.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.