Nathan MacKinnon's Hat Trick Line and Six Straight Wins: Colorado Just Took Over This Series

Nathan MacKinnon had a goal and two assists, and the Colorado Avalanche absolutely dismantled the Minnesota Wild 5-2 in Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Tuesday night in Denver. The Avs swept both home games and are now riding a six-game winning streak to start the postseason. This series is far from over, but Colorado looks unstoppable right now.

MacKinnon and Company Put on a Clinic

Colorado came out flying. Martin Necas got things started just 2:51 into the game off a MacKinnon feed, sliding a backhander past Filip Gustavsson's left shoulder to give the Avs an early 1-0 lead. The Wild answered back in a hurry. Kirill Kaprizov beat Scott Wedgewood six seconds after Necas scored to tie it up at 1-1. But Colorado didn't hesitate. MacKinnon set up Gabriel Landeskog in front of the net at 8:24 of the first to put the Avs back in front, and Nicolas Roy made it 3-1 just 1:24 into the second with a snap shot from behind the Minnesota defense. The Avs' depth showed up everywhere: Valeri Nichushkin also found the back of the net, and Brett Kulak chipped in two assists from the blue line.

Wedgewood Stands Tall, Wild Running Out of Answers

Scott Wedgewood turned away 29 shots for Colorado, including a crucial close-in denial at 5:54 of the third period on a Minnesota power play. The Wild came out hard in the third and controlled stretches of the play, but couldn't capitalize when it mattered. Marcus Johansson scored at 14:33 to give Minnesota hope, and Gustavsson came off for an extra skater with 2:20 remaining. Nichushkin sealed it into an empty net at 19:55. Gustavsson had 18 saves in his first start of the postseason, taking over after rookie Jesper Wallstedt allowed eight goals on 42 shots in Game 1. Minnesota was already missing injured top-line center Joel Eriksson Ek and defenseman Jonas Brodin for the second straight game.

On to St. Paul

Game 3 tips off Saturday night in St. Paul. The Wild need to find some answers in a hurry, or this thing could get away from them fast. Colorado is in complete control.

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