Wild bounce back with 5-1 win over Avalanche in Game 3: Takeaways

Matt Blewett-Imagn Images A return to Grand Casino Arena, a three-day break and big nights from key players were just what the Minnesota Wild needed to get back into their Western Conference Second Round series against the Colorado Avalanche. Kirill Kaprizov and Brock Faber each had a goal and two assists, while Quinn Hughes added a goal and an assist to power the Wild to a 5-1 victory over the Avalanche on Saturday night in Game 3 of their best-of-7 series. Minnesota bounced back with a solid defensive effort after allowing 14 goals while losing the first two games in Denver.

The Wild won a second-round game at home for the first time since May 9, 2014. They handed Colorado its first loss in seven games this postseason and can even the series with a win Monday night. Wild coach John Hynes went back to rookie goalie Jesper Wallstedt, who was replaced by Filip Gustavsson for Game 2 after allowing eight goals in a 9-6 series-opening loss.

He justified Hynes’ decision by making 34 saves, allowing only Nathan MacKinnon’s second-period power-play goal. Wallstedt played the way he did in Minnesota’s first-round series victory against the Dallas Stars and gave Minnesota a solid night between the pipes. Matt Blewett-Imagn Images He also got plenty of help.

In addition to Kaprizov, Faber and Hughes, Ryan Hartman and Matt Boldy scored for the Wild, Mats Zuccarello chipped in with two assists. Neither team mounted any consistent attack through the first 15 minutes. Colorado’s Parker Kelly had the best chance near the 11-minute mark, but Wallstedt denied his backhander at the right post.