The Colorado Avalanche defeated the Minnesota Wild 5-2, with Mikko Rantanen, Nathan MacKinnon, and Ross Colton scoring for the Avalanche. Rantanen's goal was an empty-netter, his 12th of the year. The Wild's points came from Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek, the latter scoring during a power play. The game was characterized by numerous penalties, power plays, and a high-stick injury to Eriksson Ek. At one point, the Avalanche capitalized on a 4-on-3 advantage, while the Wild struggled with their first power play and a lack of shots on goal during certain periods.
Byram to the box, #mnwild PP with 4:18 to go.
After a 21-minute stretch of no shots between the first and second periods, the #mnwild don't have a shot 6:44 into the 3rd
That Kaprizov goal on the Wild's first shot of the second period ended a spell of 21 minutes without a Minnesota shot on goal
Eriksson-Ek ties it on the PP https://t.co/K4Kb9JpVpy
#mnwild getting 55 seconds of a 5-on-3 PP. They have just two shots this period.
Byram 2M delay. #MNWild will have 55 seconds of 5 on 3 here.
Byram gets away with textbook interference and promptly puts the puck in the seats....55-second 5-on-3 for the Wild
Kaprizov gets one right back. Looked like the Avs were about to turn up on a 2-on-1 but puck bounced off Tufte’s skate right back to the Wild. 2-1.
Kaprizov's goal 32 seconds after the Avs took a 2-0 lead 9:11 into the 2nd was Minnesota's first shot of the period
Kaprizov gets a badly needed goal for the Wild https://t.co/a3qieLPSXg
Kirill Kaprizov answers right back for the #mnwild📷, pouncing on a loose puck in the crease. 2-1
Nate McKinnon one-timer from right circle finds net on PP, it's 2-0 Avs midway through second period. But wait, Kaprizov scores seconds later. #Avalanche 2, #mnwild 1 at 9:13 second period.
Kirill Kaprizov answers right back for the #mnwild, pouncing on a loose puck in the crease. 2-1
Avalanche take advantage. Nathan MacKinnon with the shot to double Colorado's lead: 2-0
NO shots on goal in 3:35 of PP time for the #mnwild tonight
#MNWild kill 4 on 3.
Parade to the box now as Foligno called for tripping. What once was a #MNWild double minor is now a full-on Avs power play. 3:45.
Now another penalty: Marcus Foligno whistled for tripping. So what could have been a 4-minute #mnwild power play has snowballed into a 4-on-3 advantage for Colorado.
Parade to the box now as Middleton called for tripping. What once was a #MNWild double minor is now a full-on Avs power play. 3:45.
Well, there goes the double minor. Brodin called for hooking with 2:25 left in PP. #MNWild.
Completely soft play by the #mnwild's first unit and now Johansson takes a hooking penalty with 25 seconds left in the first PP.
Johansson to the box for hooking with 2:25 left on the double minor PP. super.
Marcus Johansson takes a hooking penalty with 2:25 left on the #mnwild power play. So, 4-on-4.
Joel Eriksson Ek picks up what appears to be a couple of his teeth after getting high-sticked. #mnwild getting a four-minute power play.
Joel Eriksson Ek takes a stick to the face and then has to find two of his teeth to take to the bench. Kaprizov helped him so he gets an assist.
Eriksson Ek bleeding after being high-sticked by Ross Colton. 4-minute Wild PP
According to stat sheet, #mnwild being outhit, 5-1, after one period.
Well, the #MNWild came out strong against Colorado. Kaprizov and Boldy were active, good zone time. Then a tripping call on Marco Rossi kinda derailed the good vibes. Avs didn't score on PP, but seized momentum and Ross Colton scored on a late rush for a 1-0 lead.
Ross Colton with a dynamite shot to give the Avs the 1-0 lead. Tufte will get an assist on the breakout and a great drop by Byram. Colton has a fantastic shot. Saw it a lot watching those TB games.
Ross Colton snap shot from left circle finds far top corner on a rush. It's Avs 1, #MNWild 0 at 17:43 of the first period. MN has been outscored in first period 28-15 this season.
Ross Colton with a shot off the post and in with 2:17 left in the first period. 1-0 Colorado
After unsuccessful PP for the #mnwild, Avalanche now getting their own chance. Marco Rossi to the box for tripping.
Zero shots on the PP for the #mnwild
#mnwild first PP of the evening.
#mnwild getting the game's first power play. Still 0-0 vs. Colorado past the midway point of the first period.
#mnwild top line has come to play
Nathan MacKinnon feeds Mikko Rantanen, who scores on an empty net. It's 5-2 Colorado. Rantanen has 12 on the year.
Mikko Rantanen into the open net. Third-period terminator #Avs showed up again, after a one-game hiatus. 5-2
Rantanen with the empty netter. 5-2.
Rantanen empty netter 5-2 Avs.