Avalanche still riding high from Wild win, but focus has shifted to Vegas

The Colorado Avalanche had a memorable win against the Minnesota Wild in Game 5 to take their Round 2 series.

But the job isn’t done.

The Avs still need eight more victories to secure the Stanley Cup, which is of course their ultimate goal.

After having Thursday and Friday off, Colorado practiced on Saturday. The Western Conference Final with the Vegas Golden Knights won’t begin until Wednesday.

And while there’s plenty to look back on from the Minnesota series, there’s also a new challenge awaiting in Vegas. Head coach Jared Bednar said the page turned pretty quickly.

Jared Bednar told me the Avalanche players celebrated the win over the Wild for “15 minutes” and then were already talking about Game 6 between Vegas and Anaheim. Guys are laser focused on the ultimate goal. pic.twitter.com/YX64tN8J6Z

— Will Petersen (@PetersenWill) May 16, 2026

“I don’t have to say anything, they already know that,” Bednar said when asked about still chasing eight more wins for a championship. “I was hearing that out of their mouths 15 minutes after that game in the lunch room. We have a lot of guys that have been there before. Our goal wasn’t to just win that round. We have higher aspirations.”

But still, winning that round was pretty epic. Colorado rallied from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Wild 4-3 in OT. It was the first time they had closed out a series on home ice since 2008.

It surprised captain Gabriel Landeskog, but he also said it’s a stat that doesn’t matter too much.

Asked Gabriel Landeskog about the Avalanche not winning a series at home since 2008 until the other night. Definitely happy to do it in front of the home fans. pic.twitter.com/6XII3Zyyff

— Will Petersen (@PetersenWill) May 16, 2026

And on the game-winning goal, Avalanche forward Parker Kelly had an incredible pass down the ice to Martin Necas. He danced with the puck brilliantly before finding the unlikely hero Brett Kulak for the game-winner.

Kelly deflected the credit to Necas, but if you watch the replay, his lead-out pass was perfectly placed.

Asked Parker Kelly about his pass to Martin Necas on the Avalanche’s game-winning goal since it’s getting more and more attention. Described what he saw and then gave the credit to Necas. Great answer. pic.twitter.com/4nXqRBSqEM

— Will Petersen (@PetersenWill) May 16, 2026

Avalanche goalie Scott Wedgwood came in after the first period, relieving Mackenzie Blackwood after he gave up three goals in only 20 minutes.

Wedgewood had a great reaction to Kulak ending the series, but a fair warning there’s a word of profanity in this answer.

Scott Wedgewood told me his reaction was “holy sh**” when the Avalanche scored the game-winning goal in OT against the Wild 😂 pic.twitter.com/xtB6LkCueH

— Will Petersen (@PetersenWill) May 16, 2026

The Avalanche goaltender felt the way all of Ball Arena did and millions of fans across the country and around the world watching the puck hit the back of the net. It truly was a special moment.

And now another series begins on Wednesday evening against Vegas.

Beating the Wild was incredible, but that didn’t secure the Stanley Cup. It’s still going to take two more series triumphs to have a parade.

We’re onto the next chapter in this thrilling story, with the Avalanche hoping it ends hoisting the best trophy in sports.

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