Wild vs. Avalanche Prediction & Picks - NHL Playoffs Second Round Game 1

The Colorado Avalanche host the Minnesota Wild in the opening game of the NHL Playoffs Second Round on Sunday, May 3, with puck drop at 9 p.m. ET on TNT. The Avalanche are listed with -202 odds on the moneyline against the Wild (+167).

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Here is our pick for who will clinch the victory in this NHL Playoffs Second Round contest.

Wild vs. Avalanche Predictions for Sunday

Our computer projections model for this contest predicts a final result of Avalanche 4, Wild 2.

• Moneyline Pick: Avalanche (-202)
• Total Pick: Over 5.5 (computer predicts 6.2 goals on average)
• Spread Pick: Avalanche (-1.5)

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Avalanche Splits and Trends

• The Avalanche have a 55-16-11 record overall, with an 8-11-19 record in contests that have needed overtime.
• Colorado is 12-4-5 (29 points) in its 21 games decided by one goal.
• Looking at the seven times this season the Avalanche ended a game with just one goal, they have a 3-2-2 record, good for eight points.
• Colorado has taken 15 points from the 16 games this season when it scored a pair of goals (6-7-3 record).
• The Avalanche have scored at least three goals 62 times, and are 50-6-6 in those games (to record 106 points).
• In the 27 games when Colorado has capitalized on a lone power-play goal, it registered 44 points after finishing 19-2-6.
• In the 66 games when it outshot its opponent, Colorado is 45-12-9 (99 points).
• The Avalanche's opponents have had more shots in 15 games. The Avalanche went 12-3-0 in those matchups (24 points).

Wild Splits and Trends

• The Wild have a 16-13-29 record in overtime contests this season and a 46-24-12 overall record.
• Minnesota has earned 42 points (17-5-8) in its 30 games decided by one goal.
• This season the Wild scored only one goal in 11 games and have gone 1-8-2 (four points).
• Minnesota has earned 12 points (4-10-4 record) this season when scoring a pair of goals .
• The Wild have earned 97 points in their 59 games with at least three goals scored.
• This season, Minnesota has scored a single power-play goal in 37 games has a record of 20-10-7 in those matchups.
• When outshooting its opponent this season, Minnesota is 23-11-5 (51 points).
• The Wild's opponents have had more shots in 47 games. The Wild went 26-13-8 in those contests (60 points).

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Team Stats Comparison

Wild vs. Avalanche Game Time and TV Channel

• When: Sunday, May 3, 2026 at 9 p.m. ET
• TV Channel: TNT
• Live Stream: Watch this match on HBO Max (Regional restrictions may apply)
• Where: Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado

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