Minnesota Wild vs Colorado Avalanche Prediction, 5/5/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Minnesota Wild vs Colorado Avalanche

Date: Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Location: Ball Arena in Denver, CO

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Wild (+164) Avalanche (-198)

The Colorado Avalanche (55-16-11) will compete against the Minnesota Wild (46-24-12) at Ball Arena on Tuesday in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals. The Avalanche lead 1-0. The moneyline on this game has Minnesota at +164 while Colorado opens at -198. The over/under is set at 5.5.

The Minnesota Wild were on the losing side of the ice with a 9-6 defeat against the Avalanche in Game 1. The Wild had a impressive offensive outing in this loss. In the game, they finished 6 of the 36 shots they put on net. Furthermore, they had 3 chances with the advantage but weren't able to score a goal. Minnesota accrued 8 mins in the box in this matchup.

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In regard to their scoring capabilities, the Minnesota Wild have accumulated 268 goals (10th in the NHL) for the year and have allowed 235. For the season, they have scored 104 points and their points % is .634. Minnesota skates onto the rink with 258 power play opportunities and they have scored 65 goals out of those chances, giving them a percentage of 25.19%. When playing at even strength, the Wild have conceded 192 goals while earning 203 on offense. Minnesota has taken 2,393 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 11.2%. The Wild have seen 2,410 shots taken against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .902. Minnesota Wild opponents have earned 213 power play opportunities (29th in hockey) and have tallied 43 goals in those attempts.

Patrolling the crease for the game will be Jesper Wallstedt. Opponents have scored 104 goals against Wallstedt in his NHL career and his average for goals against per game is 2.74. Wallstedt has participated in 40 games over the course of his pro hockey career. He has a save percentage of .910 in his 348 minutes on the ice. He has accumulated a mark of 20-12-6 and he started in 38 games. Over the course of his time in hockey, Wallstedt has accumulated 25 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .658. Wallstedt has seen 1,158 shot attempts taken against him and has garnered 1,054 saves.

Colorado exploded offensively in Game 1. They had 2 power play attempts in this matchup and netted 1 out of those opportunities. The Avalanche scored 9 goals of the 43 shots on goal they tried.

The Avalanche have scored 253 goals at even strength and 45 goals (20th in professional hockey) while on the power play. Colorado has put up 2,766 shots (1st in professional hockey) and has earned a shot percentage of 10.77%, while allowing their opponents 2,144 shots. For the year, the Colorado Avalanche have earned a total of 298 goals, 121 points, and a points percentage of .738. They have permitted 197 goals to be scored by way of 161 goals at even strength and 36 goals while they were shorthanded. They have recorded 263 opportunities on the power play and they have earned a power play percentage of 17.11%. They have recorded a penalty kill rate of 84.62% on their opponents 234 chances on the power play, and their save percentage is 90.8%.

Across the rink you will find Scott Wedgewood in net. Wedgewood has a career mark of 93-60-30 and has played in 199 games. Wedgewood's rate of quality starts comes out to 55.3% and he has accumulated 99 quality starting assignments in his pro career. He has tallied 4,999 stops out of the 5,498 shots attempted, giving him a save percentage of .909. His opponents are averaging 2.79 goals per contest and he has relinquished 499 goals in total. He has started in 179 games and has been on the ice for 8,268 mins.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Tony's Pick: Take Minnesota (+164)

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