The Colorado Avalanche swept the Los Angeles Kings in the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, defeating them 4-0. They now face the Minnesota Wild, who advanced past the Dallas Stars, marking their first playoff series win since 2015. Nathan MacKinnon led the Avalanche with a career-best 53 goals, while Matt Boldy leads the Wild with six goals in the postseason. The Avalanche and Wild each won two games in their regular season matchups this year, setting up an exciting second-round clash.

By the Numbers
  • The Avalanche scored a total of 298 goals during the 2025-26 regular season.
  • Matt Boldy has scored six goals in the playoffs, tied for the postseason lead.
Yes, But

Despite the Avalanche's strong offense, they struggled early against the Kings, scoring only two goals in their first two games. The Wild have momentum after three consecutive wins to secure their series against the Stars, highlighting their potential to pose a serious challenge.

State of Play
  • The Avalanche are considered significant favorites in the upcoming series, with sportsbook odds ranging from -205 to -250.
  • Colorado has had a week of rest, while Minnesota is fresh off a grueling six-game series, impacting their readiness for Game 1.
What's Next

The second-round series between the Avalanche and Wild kicks off on Sunday, with both teams looking to capitalize on their respective playoff momentum. The performance of goaltenders will be pivotal as the Avalanche face a rookie netminder in Jesper Wallstedt.

Bottom Line

The Avalanche's experience and offensive depth could be too much for the Wild as they vie for a spot in the Western Conference Final. A strong start in Game 1 will be crucial for Colorado to establish dominance early in the series.