The Colorado Avalanche are one win away from advancing to the Western Conference Finals, and this Wild vs Avalanche prediction expects another fast-paced, high-scoring matchup Wednesday night in Denver.
Colorado grabbed full control of the series Monday with a 5-2 victory in Minnesota, improving to 7-1 overall this postseason. The Avalanche continue to look explosive offensively, and now they return home with a chance to close out the series for the first time on home ice in nearly two decades.
Minnesota still has enough offensive talent to push back, but injuries and defensive breakdowns are becoming increasingly difficult to overcome against Colorado’s relentless attack.
That points strongly toward another game that clears the total.
Wild vs. Avalanche DATE, TIME & HOW TO WATCH | |
|---|---|
| Where | Ball Arena, Denver, CO |
| When | Wednesday, May 13, 2026, 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | TNT/truTV/HBO |
Betting Odds & Public Betting
Colorado enters Game 5 as a sizable home favorite with the total sitting at 6.5 goals.
The Avalanche have consistently pushed pace throughout the series, using their speed and offensive depth to create sustained pressure against Minnesota’s depleted defensive group. Colorado has now scored five goals in three of the four games this series and continues generating quality scoring chances at even strength and on special teams.
Minnesota also remains aggressive offensively because it has little choice with elimination looming.
That desperation could easily open the ice even more Wednesday night.
Wild vs. Avalanche ODDS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | Moneyline | Total | |
| Wild | 1.5 (-135) | +180 | U 6.5 (-118) |
| Avalanche | -1.5 (+114) | -218 | O 6.5 (-102) |
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Key Notes & Storylines
Nathan MacKinnon continues to drive Colorado’s offense even while dealing with heavy physical play throughout the series. The superstar forward absorbed a puck to the face Monday but still returned immediately and sealed the victory with an empty-net goal.
The Avalanche also continue receiving balanced production across the lineup. Colorado’s speed through the neutral zone has repeatedly forced Minnesota into penalties, defensive scrambling, and odd-man rushes.
One major factor for the total is Minnesota’s injury situation. The Wild remain without top-line center Joel Eriksson Ek and top defenseman Jonas Brodin, and neither player even traveled to Denver for Game 5.
That absence significantly weakens Minnesota defensively against a team as explosive as Colorado.
Still, the Wild are far from harmless offensively. Matt Boldy, Kirill Kaprizov, and Minnesota’s power play remain capable of producing goals quickly, especially against Colorado’s aggressive style.
Minnesota also knows it cannot sit back in an elimination game. Expect the Wild to attack early and take offensive risks in an attempt to extend the series.
Colorado’s own injuries could help the over as well. Defenseman Sam Malinski and forward Artturi Lehkonen remain questionable, while the Avalanche continue rotating goaltenders between Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood.
Even though Blackwood played well Monday, Colorado’s aggressive pace naturally creates opportunities both ways.
Wild vs. Avalanche WHO IS THE PUBLIC BETTING? | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild | 8% | 92% | Avalanche |
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Last Three Meetings
The Avalanche have now won three of the four games in the series and are coming off a 5-2 victory in Game 4.
Colorado also dominated offensively in the opening games of the series, consistently generating transition chances and forcing Minnesota into uncomfortable defensive situations.
The Wild showed in Game 3 that they can still score against Colorado when they successfully establish offensive-zone pressure and capitalize on special teams.
Injury Reports
Minnesota remains without Jonas Brodin and Joel Eriksson Ek, both sidelined with lower-body injuries.
Colorado continues monitoring Artturi Lehkonen and Sam Malinski, while Nathan MacKinnon appears fully available despite taking a puck to the face Monday night.
Betting Trends
Colorado has been one of the NHL’s highest-scoring playoff teams and continues to thrive offensively at home.
The Avalanche have also consistently forced opponents into high-event hockey because of their speed and transition pressure.
Minnesota’s injury issues on defense combined with the urgency of an elimination game create strong conditions for another wide-open matchup.
Wild vs. Avalanche Prediction
Minnesota should come out aggressively knowing its season is on the line, but that style plays directly into Colorado’s strengths offensively.
The Avalanche continue to generate scoring chances in waves, and the Wild’s missing defensive pieces make containing Colorado for a full 60 minutes extremely difficult.
At the same time, Minnesota still has enough offensive talent to contribute to the total, especially if the game opens up late.
Expect another entertaining playoff matchup with plenty of scoring opportunities on both sides.
Prediction: Avalanche 5, Wild 3
Best Bet: Over 6.5