Avalanche vs. Wild Game 1 prediction: Odds, picks, best bet for Stanley Cup Playoffs
The Colorado Avalanche enter Game 1 of the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs as heavy favorites after sweeping the Los Angeles Kings, while the Minnesota Wild advanced by defeating the Dallas Stars in six games. The Wild's success was fueled by strong goaltending from Jesper Wallstedt and standout performances from key players like Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy. Despite Colorado's dominance, the article suggests Minnesota has a viable chance in Game 1 due to their recent momentum and the Avalanche's underperforming power play.
- ▪The Colorado Avalanche swept the Los Angeles Kings in the first round, trailing for only 3 minutes and 21 seconds total.
- ▪The Minnesota Wild defeated the Dallas Stars in six games, winning their first playoff series since 2015.
- ▪Jesper Wallstedt posted a .973 save percentage at 5-on-5 against Dallas, helping the Wild outscore the Stars 14-4 in even-strength situations.
- ▪Minnesota’s top players, including Kirill Kaprizov and Quinn Hughes, delivered strong performances in Round 1.
- ▪The Avalanche’s power play struggled, converting at just 9.1 percent against the Kings after a 17.1 percent rate in the regular season.
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Betting Avalanche vs. Wild Game 1 prediction: Odds, picks, best bet for Stanley Cup Playoffs By Michael Leboff Published May 3, 2026, 5:00 p.m. ET Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche. Getty Images Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission if you sign up through our links. Read our editorial standards for more information. The Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild were impressive for different reasons in Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. While the Avs dominated the Los Angeles Kings in a sweep, trailing for only 3 minutes and 21 seconds throughout the series, the Wild were resilient in their six-game triumph over the Dallas Stars.
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