Minnesota Wild vs Colorado Avalanche Prediction, 5/3/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds
Game: Minnesota Wild vs Colorado Avalanche
Date: Sunday, May 3, 2026
Location: Ball Arena in Denver, CO
TV: TNT
Odds/Point Spread: Wild (+154) Avalanche (-185)
The Colorado Avalanche (55-16-11) welcome the Minnesota Wild (46-24-12) at Ball Arena on Sunday in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals. The line on this matchup has Minnesota at +154 while Colorado is at -185. The total is set at 5.5.
The Minnesota Wild closed out their series after earning a 5-2 victory over the Stars. Minnesota earned 4 mins in the box in this contest. Moreover, they had 3 power play tries but weren't able to score. The Wild had a impressive offensive performance in the win. While out there on the ice, they tallied a score on 5 out of the 21 shots they tried.
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While playing at even strength, the Wild have conceded 192 goals while notching 203 on offense. Minnesota Wild opponents have totaled 213 power play opportunities (29th in hockey) and have tallied 43 goals in those chances. In the matter of their scoring, the Minnesota Wild have tallied 268 goals (10th in the National Hockey League) for the year and have given up 235. Minnesota has attempted 2,393 shots and has a shooting percentage of 11.2%. For the season, they have recorded 104 points and their points % is .634. The Wild have seen 2,410 shots attempted against them and have a save percentage of .902. Minnesota skates onto the rink with 258 power play chances and they have notched 65 goals out of those tries, earning them a percentage of 25.19%.
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Patrolling the crease for the game will be Jesper Wallstedt. For his professional hockey career, Wallstedt is sitting with 25 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .658. His save percentage is at .910 in his 348 minutes in the crease. Wallstedt has had 1,158 shot attempts against him and has accrued 1,054 saves. The opposition has racked up 104 goals versus Wallstedt in his pro hockey career and his goals against average per game is 2.74. He has compiled an overall record of 20-12-6 and he has started in 38 games. Wallstedt has taken the ice for 40 matchups during his NHL career.
Colorado closed out the Kings by a tally of 5-1. The Avalanche recorded 5 goals of the 32 shots on goal they attempted. They had 2 power play attempts in this one and scored 1 out of those opportunities.
Over the course of the season, the Colorado Avalanche have tallied 298 goals, 121 points, in addition to a points percentage of .738. They have granted a total of 197 goals to be scored by of a combination of 161 goals at even strength and 36 goals while they were shorthanded. The Avalanche are sitting with 253 goals at even strength and 45 goals (20th in the NHL) while having more men on the ice. They have recorded 263 chances on the power play and they have a power play rate of 17.11%. Colorado has attempted 2,766 shots (1st in hockey) and has earned a shot percentage of 10.77%, while allowing the opposition 2,144 shots. They have accumulated a penalty kill percentage of 84.62% on their oppositions 234 chances on the power play, and their save percentage is 90.8%.
Across the rink you are likely to see Scott Wedgewood protecting the net. He is sitting with 4,999 saves out of the 5,498 shots attempted against him, giving him a rate of .909. Wedgewood has compiled a career mark of 93-60-30 and has been in net for 199 contests. He has been a starter 179 games and has been on the ice for 8,268 mins. Wedgewood's quality start rate sits at 55.3% and he has qualified for 99 quality starts in his professional career. The opposition is averaging 2.79 goals per contest and he has surrendered 499 goals altogether.
Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?
Guy's Pick: Take Colorado (-185)
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Additional Resources:
Colorado Avalanche - Twitter
Minnesota Wild - Twitter