Avalanche Rally From 3-0 Down to Beat Wild 4-3 in OT, Reach West Final

17 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 14

Brett Kulak scored 3:52 into overtime after Colorado erased a 3-0 first-period deficit, sending the Avalanche past Minnesota and into the Western Conference final.
Nathan MacKinnon drove the comeback, scoring the tying goal with 1:23 left after Jack Drury cut the lead to 3-2; Colorado dominated the second period with a 32-8 edge in shot attempts.
Minnesota's collapse turned on a late Ryan Hartman icing that led to a defensive-zone faceoff and Drury's goal nine seconds later, after the Wild managed only seven shots over the final 43:52.
Scott Wedgewood steadied Colorado after replacing Mackenzie Blackwood, stopping all seven shots he faced, while Cale Makar left in the third favoring his right arm but returned to finish.
The loss ended Minnesota's season in historic fashion — its first playoff defeat after leading by three goals — while Colorado closed out a home series for the first time since 2008.

Avalanche stars get the glory, but did their GM's deadline moves actually win this series?

The Avalanche look dominant, but are hidden injuries to stars like Cale Makar their biggest threat?

Was the Avalanche's epic comeback a sign of championship DNA or a historic collapse by the injury-plagued Wild?