The Colorado Avalanche rallied from an early deficit before eliminating the Minnesota Wild in Game 5 at Ball Arena by a 4-3 count when Brett Kulak belted Martin Necas’ crossing pass by Jesper Wallstadt 3:52 into overtime. Down three after the first period, Colorado brought Scott Wedgewood into the game and got on the board on Parker Kelly’s deflection goal. Jack Drury and Nathan MacKinnon struck 2:10 apart late in third to send the game to overtime. Marcus Johansson opened the scoring and the Nick Foligno tallied twice for Minnesota to chase starter Mackenzie Blackwood, who departed with ten saves on 13 shots. Wedgewood, who started the first three games of the series, stopped all seven shots faced as the Avalanche dominated the rest of the way to end the series and advance Western Conference Final, where they face Vegas or Anaheim.
BUFFALO SABRES vs MONTREAL CANADIENS
- WHEN: 7 p.m. ET
- WHERE: KeyBank Center – Buffalo, NY
- SERIES: Tied 2-2
- ON THE TUBE: ESPN
- PROJECTED STARTERS: Sabres: Luukkonen (2-1 .873 / 3.37 0SO) Canadiens: Dobes (6-5 .914 / 2.22 0SO)
- PLAYER STATS: Buffalo / Montreal
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS at ANAHEIM DUCKS