Avalanche proving why selfless hockey wins amid 2-0 lead over Wild
The Colorado Avalanche are no longer relying only on star power to win playoff games. Through six NHL postseason victories and a 2-0 second-round series lead over the Minnesota Wild , Colorado has shown the kind of connected, selfless hockey that separates contenders from talented teams. After a 5-2 win in Game 2, Nathan MacKinnon pointed directly to the mentality driving Colorado’s postseason run.
“I just think in the playoffs it’s so hard to produce, and I think over the years we’ve come to realize that you don’t have to score a point to help the team out,” MacKinnon said . “And there’s a lot of time away from the puck when you don’t have it. “I think during the season you can get a little lazy sometimes, but right now every shift is so important.
It might not go perfect, but I just think having the right intent is all you can ask for yourself and for your teammates, just to have the right intentions out there and put the team first, and it’s that time of year. ” MORE: Oilers need Penguins-style support system for Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl That message has defined the Avalanche through two rounds. Colorado entered the playoffs as the Presidents’ Trophy winner (with 121 points) after finishing first in both goals scored (302) and goals allowed (203) during the regular season.
But what stands out now is how complete their playoff game has become. The Avalanche have opened the postseason 6-0, swept the Los Angeles Kings in the first round, and now hold control against Minnesota after winning two very different games. Game 1 turned into a 9-6 offensive explosion.
Game 2 became a structured defensive win. That flexibility matters for Avalanche. Avalanche depth is overwhelming opponents Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) celebrates his goal with teammates in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena.