Kulak's OT Goal Sends Avalanche Past Wild to West Finals
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- Brett Kulak scored 3:52 into overtime off a feed from Martin Necas, capping a wild comeback as the Avalanche eliminated the Wild 4-3 in Game 5 to advance to the Western Conference finals.
- Nathan MacKinnon tied it 1:23 left in regulation with the goalie pulled, beating Jesper Wallstedt from the left side into the top-left corner after the Wild had led 3-0.
- Brett Kulak's winner was his first goal since Jan. 19; he had been acquired by Colorado on Feb. 24 in a deal that sent Samuel Girard to Pittsburgh, making him the 16th different Avalanche player to score in the series.
- The Minnesota Wild had been a perfect 21-0 in playoff games when leading by three or more goals before Wednesday's collapse — a streak that ended in the elimination loss.
- The Avalanche won a playoff series at home for the first time in 18 years (last doing so in 2008 against these same Wild) and reached the conference final for the eighth time since relocating to Denver in 1995-96.
- Scott Wedgewood replaced starter Mackenzie Blackwood after the first period and stopped all seven shots he faced to steady Colorado, while Cale Makar briefly left the ice after a late collision with Mats Zuccarello but returned.
Why it matters: Coming back from 3-0 down is something the Avalanche had done only twice in 53 playoff games since moving to Denver in 1995-96, and the Wild had been a perfect 21-0 when leading a postseason game by three-plus goals — both streaks fell Wednesday. Colorado reaches the Western Conference finals for the eighth time and now awaits the Vegas-Anaheim winner, with Vegas leading that series 3-2.
