Colorado Avalanche’s win streak snapped in a thrilling shootout loss against the surging Minnesota Wild, but the Avs’ point streak lives on. Can Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog’s resilience keep Colorado atop the NHL standings? Chris Micieli and Zach Pearson break down a high-octane clash defined by stellar goaltending from Scott Wedgewood and Minnesota’s Wallstedt, highlight the game-changing performances of Kirill Kaprizov and Landeskog, and dissect the controversial shootout ending—should the league rethink its overtime format?
Key topics include tactical adjustments during overtime, the impact of Landeskog’s gritty leadership, and the Avalanche’s ability to maintain their lead in the Central Division despite Minnesota’s hot streak. Plus, a look ahead to a fast-paced showdown with the Montreal Canadiens and updates on crucial returns from injury. Will “Angry MacKinnon” spark a new run? Don’t miss this spirited analysis of Colorado’s playoff hopes and locker room dynamics.
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25 Comments
Wild fan here even if we lost I would say a hell of a game!
Can win them all
Good game for the Wild and the Avs. The Wild were on home ice playing like their children's lives depended on it, got a real greasy goal (they count too), and won in a shootout. I have never been a fan of shootouts or 3-on-3 OT since it creates opportunities for players who would never get those opportunities. And for Avs fans, remember, you had no LOC, Brindley, or Nichuskin. But hats off to the Wild. I'm sure they feel really good. However, their goalie displayed a lack of experience by declaring after the game that "It kind of shows that we're a better team than them." It's great to see that youthful exuberance but somehow, I think he's gonna pay for that comment. They're not a better team for a number of reasons though they can prove the commentary by winning the Central and going further in the playoffs. Lot's-o-hockey to be played. In summary: Great game and congrats to the Wild. Today.
Was a good record for Val being out
13:17 Zuccy never does that move anymore, until today. He's done a quick writer with no moves for about the last 2 years straight. Idk what your talking about.
If this is a preview of the playoffs, inject 7 games of this straight into my arm.
I don’t mind the current format just wish that Coinflip would stop landing against the avs. 3 shootouts this year 3 losses they need to work on them and sorry to say it but they need to try someone besides Mac i don’t remember when his last shootout goal was but it’s been awhile
Wild fan here and I agree…. Win or lose, that was a fun game to watch. Both teams stepped it up and played smart hockey and stayed out of the box. I would like to see them incorporate a rule for OT that when you take the puck across the blue line, you can’t bring it back over (like basketball’s over and back rule).
As a Wild fan, I'm looking forward to the remaining 3 games this season. All 3 of which will be good "check-in" points for who is the better team at the top of the league. Judd Zulgad thinks the OT should be extended to 10min and a penalty for the puck possessing team to purposely move the puck over the center line of the neutral zone. I think for this game in particular, maybe John Hynes had enough trust in The Wall for a SO that he wanted the skaters to play keep away. As a solution, I like the idea of after 5min of 3-on-3 there should be a second puck added.
😪😢😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Bring back ties if you can't beat your opponent after a full game plus ot neither team deserves the 2 points so split to 2 and move on.
The current OT format has become a problem. There are too many games this season going to OT, creating too many 3 point games resulting in this terrible standings for most of the league. You have some teams who have had nearly half their games in OT. You have a team like Florida who has 11 wins in regulation, but are 6th in their division behind 4 teams with 8 and 9 wins in regulation. That doesn't feel right. The Jets have the same number of Regulation and OT wins as the Wild, yet they are 6 points back. That doesn't feel right.
My proposal is to return to 5v5 OT for 5 mins. IF the game is still tied at the end of OT, the home team automatically wins. I would prefer that the NHL then goes to a 2 points for a regulation/OT win, 1 point for a home team auto win, 0 points for a loss of any kind. You'd see teams really try to win games in regulation and road teams would really try to win in OT.
My OT suggestion: 5 minutes of 3-on-3, if no one scores then end on a tie splitting the points. Teams would be more motivated to do something proactive in the OT but you don't get the silly skills competition. I wouldn't add extra time with no extra motivation, teams would just hold the puck the whole time as they do now… 😑
Make it 8 minutes with 4 2:00 minute periods. First 2 minutes is 4 on 4. The second 2:00 min. 3 on 3. Third 2:00 min. 2 on 2. The last 2:00 min. 1 on 1. No goal scored then shoot out. It wont eliminate the shoot out but, it would not happen very often and make the game more enjoyable. What do you think?
The only thing that might be better would be to incentivize winning in regulation more – make it 3 points instead of 2…too many teams don't take chances the last couple minutes so they don't risk losing the OT point. Give them a reason to take the chances.
I'm not so down on the OT rules and shootout. I agree there should be a no intentional taking it back across the centerline one you bring the puck over into the offensive side. But people forget too quickly. For everyone complaining about how it ends, I remember going to games and leaving after a tie. Players quit playing and just wanted the point instead of losing two. Those were unbelievably disappointing and unsatisfying to watch. Spend all that time and money just to see a push and feel like nothing was accomplished.
There needs to be a penalty for "delay of game" in OT where you can't take the puck back over the red line to just keep possession. Force the teams to attack so there's a greater chance of it ending in OT.
Wild fan here, tons of respect for the Avs. Awesome team and great fans. Hell of a game!
I personally love the shootout as a determiner in the regular season. But maybe that's just cuz the Wild are 3-0 in shootouts this season
literally wouldnt care as long as they went to the 3-2-1 point system , u could do 2 shootouts i wouldnt care lol i would that would suck , but just give the 3 points for a reg win make no sense when ur giving out 3 points total in extra time to not be giving out 3 in regulation ,like ive said before the loser point system is bad ,it hasnt happened yet but if it did it would be a major black eye for the nhl and maybe this is what needs to happen for them to change and that is if u lose 60 games in overtime /shootout thats 60 points then win the other 22 in regulation that's a 104 POINTS WHICH would most likly get u in the playoffs with a losing record 22-0-60 very unlikly that ever happens but it shouldnt even be a mathematical option for it to happen should be zero chance of making the playoffs with a losing record . the wild card needs to go aswell top 8 make it
Ties are the most fair.
3 on 3 OT + shootout leads to a quick conclusion and might maximize fun.
It's always a balance between fair and entertaining. I agree that there's probably no real solution. I would suggest that they just have 3rd period benches so it's easier for the team without the puck to at least change one player if the other team decides to regroup in the neutral zone.
I agree and have always hated the shootout. I usually turn it off at that point and will check the highlights in the morning, rather than watch the skills competition that decides it all. However, I recall years back hearing about a league (in the juniors I think), that started the OT period with 4 on 4. After a set time, it dropped to 3 on 3, then 2 on 2 and so on. I really doubt it got down goalie on goalie but think it's an intriguing idea.
Lehkonen made a nice stick life on Kaprizov on the boards and threw it in front of the net for their first goal. I watched the replay not knowing what to expect, and it was somewhat believable that Kaprizov migh throw a blind pass in a dangerous area considering he did that a lot in October. But it was more of a nice play by the attacking Avs player.
Each team picks a guy and they fight at center ice to determine the game. Problem solved.
Claiming that a ‘skills competition’ is a lame way to end a game is a wild statement to me. The entire sport is a skills competition. Complaining about seeing guys show off skills they don’t usually get to because the game went into OT or the shootout is just not it. Why watch a game if you aren’t watching for the skills of each player?