Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild: Game 4 Preview

The Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild continue their second-round series tonight in Minneapolis with Game 4. The Avalanche were 6-0 in the playoffs before suffering their first loss of the postseason in Game 3 on Saturday, while Minnesota holds a 5-4 record across nine postseason games after their longer first-round series win over Dallas. This game presents an opportunity for Colorado to take a commanding, 3-1 series lead – or for Minnesota to level things at two games apiece.

Betting Odds

  • Moneyline: Minnesota Wild +118, Colorado Avalanche -141
  • Puckline: Minnesota Wild +1.5 (-212) / Colorado Avalanche -1.5 (+174)
  • Total (Over/Under): 6.5 (Over -101 / Under -119)

Series Breakdown and Matchup Analysis

Colorado leads the series 2-1, having dominated the first two games before Minnesota responded with a 5-3 win in Game 3 to keep things competitive. The overall scoring margin of 15-13 in Colorado’s favor doesn’t fully reflect the Avalanche’s control of the series, as the Wild’s Game 3 outburst accounts for most of their offensive production. Nathan MacKinnon leads the way with three goals and four assists in the series to lead all players, and his neutral-zone speed has been difficult for Minnesota’s defense to contain.

Special teams have played a notable role in the series. Colorado has converted a whopping 40% (4-of-10) power-play opportunities, and the Avalanche hold a 53.1 percent faceoff win rate, allowing them to control possession and dictate tempo for stretches of each game.

Minnesota’s Game 3 win was fueled in large part by Wild stars Kirill Kaprizov and Quinn Hughes, who each scored in Saturday’s pivotal matchup. Both have five points through three games, and have found success when Colorado’s defensive structure breaks down, particularly when the Avalanche overcommit offensively and leave space in their own zone. Addressing those breakdowns is a priority for Colorado’s coaching staff entering Game 4.

Injuries are also a relevant factor in this matchup. Minnesota is still missing defenseman Jonas Brodin due to a lower-body injury, and forward Joel Eriksson Ek is day-to-day after sitting out Game 3. Colorado has listed Josh Manson and Joel Kiviranta as day-to-day, though Manson is now expected to play – and the loss of Brodin and Eriksson Ek appears to carry greater consequences for Minnesota’s defensive structure and two-way play.

Cale Makar, who has already scored twice in the series, remains central to Colorado’s approach on both sides of the puck. His transition play and defensive positioning are key to limiting chances for Kaprizov and Hughes. If Colorado’s power play continues to produce and their five-on-five defense tightens, Minnesota will face a difficult task generating enough offense with a shortened lineup.

The Pick

Colorado holds advantages in depth, special teams, and overall health entering Game 4. Minnesota was already struggling to match up against MacKinnon and Colorado’s top forwards at full strength. Without Brodin in the defensive rotation, that task becomes more difficult over the course of a full game.

The Avalanche have the structure and personnel to control this game, particularly if their power play remains productive. Colorado is well-positioned to take a 3-1 series lead, despite being on the road.

Colorado Avalanche Moneyline (-141)