The Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche meet in Game 5 of the NHL Playoffs tonight. Puck drop is set for 8:00 p.m. EDT at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo. The game will be broadcast live on TNT.
The Avalanche are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 6.5 (-105o / -115u). The Avalanche are a -207 favorite to win outright, while the Wild are +170 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Wild vs. Avalanche predictions and NHL picks.
Wild vs. Avalanche Odds, Pick
| Wild Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -149 | 6.5 -105o / -115u | +170 |
| Avalanche Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +123 | 6.5 -105o / -115u | -207 |
- Wild vs. Avalanche Spread: Avalanche -1.5 (+123 ), Wild +1.5 (-149)
- Wild vs. Avalanche Over/Under: 6.5 (-105o / -115u)
- Wild vs. Avalanche Moneyline: Wild +170, Avalanche -207
Wild vs Avalanche Kalshi Odds
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Wild vs. Avalanche Preview
Minnesota Wild
The Wild face elimination in Game 5. While a comeback in the series is unlikely, they still have a chance to extend it or keep this game close.
Minnesota showed it can compete with the Avalanche, as evidenced by its 5-1 win in Game 3. The Wild are likely to stick with goaltender Jesper Wallstedt in Game 5, and he has played well since being benched in Game 2.
Over the past two games, Wallstedt is 1-1 with a .941 save percentage and a 2.03 goals-against average. His performance is supported by one of the league’s stronger two-way teams.
This season, Minnesota ranked 12th in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60), eighth in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) and sixth in expected goal share.
Colorado Avalanche
Colorado remains the better team. The Avalanche are one of the top two teams in the league, alongside the Carolina Hurricanes.
That said, Game 3 showed they are not unbeatable. Goaltending also remains a question, as Colorado has turned to Mackenzie Blackwood and is expected to continue with him until another loss.
While he was serviceable in the Avalanche’s 5-2 win in Game 4, Wednesday will mark just his second start in the past month. It would not be surprising if Minnesota capitalizes on his limited recent playing time and generates enough offense to keep the game close.
Wild vs. Avalanche Prediction
The Wild have covered the +1.5 puck line in 13 of their past 18 games, a trend that could continue in Game 5. The goaltending edge leans toward Minnesota, assuming Colorado starts Blackwood again.
This season, Wallstedt posted a higher save percentage than Blackwood (.916 compared to .904). While Colorado is the stronger overall team, Minnesota is not far behind, as both teams finished in the top six in expected goal share.
These odds were initially at -135, but there is still value in backing Minnesota to keep this game close.
Pick: Wild +1.5 (-148, DraftKings)
