\u201cIt\u2019s massive,\u201d Wallstedt said. \u201cRight now, it feels like we\u2019re right back in it. I think we proved to everyone, and ourselves, that when we play the right way, when we play the game style that we want to play, we\u2019re just as good as anyone else, and especially these guys.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not surprising that the Wild came with more desperation. Their season was pretty much on the line here, as an 0-3 series deficit would have been a death knell. This was like a Game 7. \u201cA do-or-die game for them,\u201d Colorado\u2019s Cale Makar said.<\/p>\n
But it\u2019s one thing to feel that pressure and another to thrive in it. And the Wild were all over Colorado from the opening faceoff. They looked mentally and physically refreshed after the three-day break following Game 2. Just think about how much emotion they were dealing with after their first series victory in a decade, and then they were in Denver less than 48 hours later. This was an important reset for them, the ability to rest and prepare fully for the best team in the league.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were a little soft in Game 1 and Game 2, just our pace of play was soft,\u201d Marcus Foligno said. \u201cI thought they looked quicker than we did. I just feel like a little bit of rest helped us get our bearings a little bit. It was a tough series against Dallas and you kind of get thrown right into it. So to come in here, we knew our backs were against the wall, and it\u2019s great to play the way we did.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re a heck of a team, but if we play that style, our game, it shows it works.\u201d<\/p>\n
Here was Marcus Foligno (nine hits) and brother Nick (six), setting the one with a combined 15 hits and putting together a consistent forecheck and offensive zone pressure. Here was Kaprizov, blazing through the middle of the zone and accepting a pass from Faber before an elite finish on a bad-angled shot.<\/p>\n
THAT ANGLE!? disgusting \ud83e\udd22 pic.twitter.com\/Qe4cv9gW0N<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 x \u2013 Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) May 10, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI thought it was his best game all year,\u201d Foligno said. \u201cDefinitely the driving force behind the win.\u201d<\/p>\n The Avalanche had trailed for about four minutes combined in their first six playoff games, and now the Wild finally had a lead which they extended to a 3-0 edge by the five minute mark of the second period, chasing goalie Scott Wedgewood. A big reason why was improved special teams. The power play, mired in a 2-for-26 funk, scored twice. And the much-maligned penalty kill<\/a> came through with two key kills early on, going 2 for 3 overall.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought our details were good, and when we had opportunities to block shots we blocked them and when we needed a save we got it,\u201d Hynes said. \u201cI think that was the difference.\u201d<\/p>\n
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