Brett Kulak played the hero card for the Colorado Avalanche, who had a ridiculous comeback to take Game Five against the Minnesota Wild 4-3 in OT. Down three goals, the Avalanche got it done when it seemed like it couldn’t.

Amidst battles up and down the ice, particularly through injury and concern with Cale Makar, the team all played their part to come through in the end. Now, they will get a few solid days of rest while waiting to see who they will face.

View From the Mountaintop

A tumultuous, up-and-down evening for the Avalanche ended on the highest of highs. Two goals in 2:10 late in the third period forced the Wild into OT before Kulak played the hero. He broke up a crucial 2-on-1 opportunity for Minnesota, which led to Martin Necas streaking up the ice to set up the game and series-winner. Jack Drury and Nathan MacKinnon playing hero as well late in the third was huge, when it looked as though they were down and out. When the only offense of the evening before that came from Brent Burns and Parker Kelly, it looked out of reach. But no Game Six or Seven will take place in this series thanks to some Herculean efforts.


Colorado’s ability – or lack thereof – to play competitively for the full 60 minutes almost killed them on Wednesday night. First periods have been a struggle ever since Game Three, where the Avs have been outscored 7-0. They fell down by three early on, chased Mackenzie Blackwood, and easily could’ve given up more. But what seemed insurmountable turned into a legendary performance and legendary comeback en route to the Western Conference Final.

Goaltending again was front of mind with Blackwood giving up three goals on 13 shots. He entered in relief in Game Four when Scott Wedgewood struggled. Tonight, it was role reversals. Wedgewood was good when he came, only facing seven shots in two and a third periods of action. None of those seven shots were very high-danger opportunities for the defensive-minded Wild, who ultimately fell at the might of the Avs’ comeback effort offensively. Surely, maybe now, the net is Wedgewood’s to lose.

Up Next

Colorado will await their opponent in the Western Conference Final, which will be either the Vegas Golden Knights or the Anaheim Ducks. Game Six of that series is on Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. MT, with a possible Game Seven taking place on Saturday. Vegas currently leads the series 3-2.