Wild vs Avalanche Prediction 5/5/2026 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article we will formulate a Wild vs Avalanche prediction for this NHL game on Tuesday, May 5th at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL playoff matchup.

Minnesota Wild Betting Preview

The Minnesota Wild are down 0-1 in this series after they lost game one by a score of 9-6 on Sunday night. Minnesota erased a 3-0 deficit and eventually took a 5-4 lead, but they allowed five of the last six goals for the loss. The Wild recorded 36 shots on goal, won 63.1% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Minnesota got goals from Foligno, Hartman, Johansson, Tarasenko, Zuccarello, and Hughes, while Wallstedt stopped 34 out of 42 shots, which was an .810 save percentage.

Prior to this series, Minnesota defeated the Stars in six games by scores of 6-1, 2-4, 3-4, 3-2, 4-2, and 5-2. The Wild have split their last six games and they finished third in the Central standings with 104 points. Minnesota scored 3.27 goals per game and they allowed 2.87 goals against per game, while also going 25.2% on the power play and 79.8% on the penalty kill this season. Quinn Hughes has led the Wild with three goals and eight assists, while Matt Boldy has added six goals and four assists in the playoffs. The projected starting goalie for Minnesota is Jesper Wallstedt, who is 4-3 with a 2.81 goals against average and a .903 save percentage this postseason. 

Colorado Avalanche Betting Preview

The Colorado Avalanche are up 1-0 in this series after they won game one by a score of 9-6. Colorado blew a 4-2 lead in the second period and their lead was cut to 7-6 in the third, before they scored two late goals to seal the win. The Avalanche recorded 43 shots on goal, won 36.9% of the face-offs, and went 1-2 on the power play in the game. Colorado got goals from Drury, Kadri, Lehkonen, MacKinnon, Blankenburg, Makar (2), Malinski, and Toews, while Wedgewood stopped 30 out of 36 shots, which was an .833 save percentage. 

Prior to this series, Colorado swept the Kings in four games by scores of 2-1, 2-1, 4-2, and 5-1. The Avalanche have won eight games in a row and they finished first in the Central standings with 121 points. Colorado scored 3.63 goals per game and they allowed 2.40 goals against per game, while also going 17.1% on the power play and 84.6% on the penalty kill this season. Nathan MacKinnon has led the Avalanche with three goals and four assists, while Devon Toews has added two goals and five assists in the playoffs. The projected starting goalie for Colorado is Scott Wedgewood, who is 5-0 with a 2.15 goals against average and a .920 save percentage this postseason. 

Why the Colorado Avalanche will win

• The Avalanche have won each of their last eight games against Western Conference opponents.
• The Wild have lost seven of their last eight games at Ball Arena following a road loss.
• The Wild have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight games at Ball Arena following a road loss.
• The Avalanche have covered the puck line in four of their last five night games against Western Conference opponents.
• The Avalanche have won the third period in five of their last six night games against the Wild following a home win.

Why the Minnesota Wild will win

• The Avalanche have lost five of their last seven games as home favorites following a home win.
• The Wild have won six of their last nine games as underdogs against opponents on a winning streak.
• The Avalanche have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last seven games at Ball Arena following a home win.
• The Wild have covered the puck line in five of their last six games as underdogs against opponents on a winning streak.
• The Avalanche have lost the second period in three of their last four home games against Central Division opponents when leading after the first period.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Wild’s last four night games at Ball Arena have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Six of the Avalanche’s last seven home games have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Seven of the last nine night games between two teams from the Central Division have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in each of the Wild’s last nine games as underdogs.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in six of the Avalanche’s last seven games as favorites against Central Division opponents.

Colorado Avalanche Player Prop Facts

• Gabriel Landeskog has recorded at least one assist in each of his last six appearances against the Wild at Ball Arena.
• Nathan MacKinnon has scored at least one goal in seven of the Avalanche’s last eight playoff games as favorites against Central Division opponents.
• Nathan MacKinnon ranks 1st in the league for multi-goal games (14) this season.

Minnesota Wild Player Prop Facts

• Matthew Boldy has scored at least one goal in three of the Wild’s last four games.
• Quinn Hughes has recorded at least one assist in each of his last eight appearances with the Wild as road underdogs.
• Matthew Boldy has recorded at least three shots in each of his last nine appearances – longest active streak in the league.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Colorado Avalanche rank 1st in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (84.62%).
• The Colorado Avalanche are one of only three teams in the league to rank top 5 for both goals for and goals against per game this season.
• The Minnesota Wild are one of seven teams to rank in the top 10 for both goals scored and goals conceded per game this season.
• The Minnesota Wild rank 2nd in the league in save percentage this season (.909).

Wild vs Avalanche Prediction

Colorado was able to stay undefeated in the postseason with a 9-6 win in game one on Sunday, as they continue to play very well over the last few weeks. The Avalanche were 26-9-6 at home this year, while the Wild were 23-14-4 on the road. Minnesota has won three of their last four games, but they play a wide open style of hockey, which is not going to work against this Colorado team. I do think Minnesota will come out with a very strong defensive focus, but I am worried about their goalie, who is very young and will be under a bunch of pressure. Take Colorado -1.5 here.

David Racey's Pick: Avalanche -1.5