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The Minnesota Wild are trailing 2-0 to the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference semifinals clash of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs. Nathan MacKinnon led the Avs to a 5-2 Game 2 win with 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists).<\/p>\n
The Avalanche had a 3-1 lead after two periods, before Nathan MacKinnon<\/a> increaded the lead to 3 goals with a power play goal in the third period. The Wild responded with a goal from Marcus Johansson with less than seven minutes left in the game. Valeri Nichushkin sealed the victory for the Avs with an empty net goal in the final moments of Game 2.<\/p>\n “Much better tonight. Still made a couple mistakes for sure. The difference for me is special teams,” said Avs HC Jared Bednar after the game.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n <\/template><\/p>\n TV & Streaming options: <\/strong>TNT, truTV, HBO Max, Sportsnet, SN1, TVAS, CBC<\/p>\n Puck drop<\/strong>: 7 p.m. MT, 8 p.m. CT, 9 p.m. ET @ Grand Casino Arena, St. Paul, Minnesota<\/p>\n Josh Manson is an option on the bench for the Colorado Avalanche<\/a> in Game 3, confirmed head coach Jared Bednar on Friday. Joel Kiviranta took part in practice for the first time since suffering an injury in Round 1 against the Los Angeles Kings.<\/p>\n Mats Zuccarello missed team practice on Friday due to sickness but is expected to play Game 3 on Saturday night. Defenceman Jonas Brodin continues to be out due to a lower-body injury, and will miss Game 3, his fourth consecutive game. Joel Eriksson Ek is a game-time decision, after missing the first two games in Round 2. Head coach John Hynes did not confirm Minnesota Wild<\/a>‘s starting goalie for Game 3, after changing netminders to Filip Gustavsson in Game 2, who conceded four goals on 22 shots.<\/p>\n “I’ll let you know later,” said Hynes with a smile, when asked about the team’s starting goaltender in Game 3.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The Minnesota Wild’s primary goal in Friday’s practice was penalty kill. In two games, the Wild have conceded 3 power play goals, 2 in jsut Game 2. <\/p>\n “It’s a big topic of discussion. It’s not a surprise to us. You go back to the drawing board and make changes,” said Wild’s Matt Boldy about team’s PK struggles.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Also read<\/em><\/strong>: <\/em>T.J. Oshie names Avalanche Stanley Cup favorites in chat with Donald Trump, but sides with Central rivals<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Here’s how both teams square up in key stats across the 2025-26 regular season and playoffs so far:<\/p>\nHow to watch Avalanche vs Wild Game 3<\/h2>\n
Avalanche vs Wild Game 3 Preview<\/h2>\n
Avs vs Wild Head-to-head Stats<\/h3>\n