Brett Kulak's First Goal Since January Just Sent Colorado to the Conference Final
The Colorado Avalanche pulled off one of those moments you'll be telling people about for years. Down 3-0 midway through the second period, trailing 3-1 late in regulation, they stormed back to stun the Minnesota Wild 4-3 in overtime Wednesday night and punch their ticket to the Western Conference Final. Brett Kulak, a defenseman who hadn't scored since January, buried the series-clinching goal 3:52 into OT, and Denver is heading to the conference final for the eighth time since relocating to Colorado back in 1995-96.
From Down 3-0 to Alive in Five Minutes
This wasn't some slow-burn comeback. Colorado came absolutely alive late. With Minnesota sitting pretty up 3-1, Jack Drury scored with 3:33 left in regulation to make it a one-goal game. That's when Nathan MacKinnon stepped up in a massive moment, rifling a shot from the left side with 1:23 remaining in the third period, empty netter already pulled. MacKinnon found a tight space in the top left corner and beat goalie Jesper Wallstedt to tie it. The building was electric.
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Overtime didn't last long. Martin Necas took the puck, glided behind the net and worked his way back out front, where he found an open Kulak on the doorstep. Kulak didn't hesitate. One-timer past Wallstedt. Series over. Home ice. Party on.
Kulak finished with two points on the night, including that overtime winner. He's not the guy you're expecting to see when you look down the bench for a clutch moment. "You always like to dream about it," Kulak said afterward. "The player I am, I'm not the guy everyone's looking down the bench, like, 'All right, get out there, go win it for us.'" That goal, though? That's one he'll never forget. It was his first since January, and it sent his team to the next round.
Colorado will wait for the Vegas-Anaheim winner to emerge from their series. Vegas currently leads that matchup 3-2. The Avalanche just proved that nobody should count them out, no matter how dire things look.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.