Nathan MacKinnon Put on a Clinic and the Avalanche Just Buried Minnesota

The Colorado Avalanche are rolling through the postseason like a team possessed. MacKinnon orchestrated a 5-2 demolition of the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night at Ball Arena, posting a goal and two assists to keep Denver's hot streak alive. The Avs swept both games at home and have now won six straight to open the playoffs. Game 3 heads to St. Paul on Saturday, and Minnesota is already in deep trouble.

MacKinnon's Fingerprints Are All Over This One

It took Colorado less than three minutes to strike. Necas fed a pass from MacKinnon and lifted a backhander over Gustavsson's shoulder just 2:51 into the game for a 1-0 lead. The Wild answered back immediately off the faceoff when Kaprizov beat Wedgwood with a wrister six seconds later to tie it up. But Colorado was in full control from there. MacKinnon set up Landeskog in front of the net at 8:24 of the first period on the power play to put the Avs back in front. Roy then made it 3-1 just 1:24 into the second with a snap shot after getting behind Minnesota's defense. When MacKinnon finished things off with a one-timer on the power play at 13:18 of the third, the game was basically over.

Minnesota's Depth Issues Are Showing

The Wild came in without two key players. Top-line center Joel Eriksson Ek and defenseman Jonas Brodin both missed Game 2 due to injury, their second straight absence. That void showed on the scoreboard. Minnesota's goalie situation didn't help either. Filip Gustavsson stepped in for his first start of the postseason after rookie Jesper Wallstedt got shelled for eight goals on 42 shots in Game 1. Gustavsson made 18 saves but couldn't keep pace with Colorado's execution. Johansson and Kaprizov scored for the Wild, who did control stretches of the third period and generated chances on the power play, but Wedgewood was locked in for the Avs with 29 saves. Nichushkin sealed it with an empty netter at 19:55.

The Avalanche are looking unstoppable. Minnesota needs to figure something out fast before heading home down 2-0.

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