Third-Period Breakthroughs Lift Avalanche Past Wild for 3-1 Series Lead

Avalanche bounce back to beat the Wild 5-2 and take a 3-1 lead in the series – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Flickr)

St. Paul, Minn. – Two players who had waited through the early rounds of the postseason finally found the net when it mattered most. Ross Colton and Parker Kelly each scored in the third period Monday night, helping the Colorado Avalanche shake off a midseries dip and defeat the Minnesota Wild 5-2 in Game 4. The result gave Colorado a commanding 3-1 advantage in the best-of-seven matchup.

Goals That Shifted the Momentum

The Avalanche entered the final frame still searching for their offensive identity after a pair of uneven performances earlier in the series. Colton struck first in the period, capitalizing on a chance that had eluded him throughout the playoffs. Kelly followed shortly after with his own first postseason tally, extending the lead and forcing Minnesota to chase the game.

Those markers arrived at a critical juncture. They not only broke a scoreless stretch for the two forwards but also restored the high-tempo style that has defined Colorado’s attack. The Wild, who had kept the contest close through two periods, could not recover once the Avalanche pulled ahead by multiple goals.

Snapping a Midseries Lull

Colorado had shown flashes of vulnerability in the middle games of the series, allowing Minnesota to narrow the gap and create genuine doubt about the outcome. The 5-2 final score reflected a return to the team’s more familiar rhythm, with sustained pressure and timely finishing. The victory underscored how quickly the Avalanche can regain control when their depth players contribute.

By spreading the scoring across the lineup rather than relying solely on established stars, Colorado demonstrated the balance that has carried them through previous playoff runs. The third-period surge served as a reminder that even brief lulls can be corrected with focused execution in the later stages of a game.

Implications for the Series Ahead

With a 3-1 lead, the Avalanche now hold the upper hand and can close out the series on home ice if they maintain their current form. The Wild face the difficult task of winning three consecutive games to extend their season, a challenge made steeper by Colorado’s ability to rebound quickly from setbacks.

The outcome also highlights how individual milestones, such as first postseason goals, can arrive at precisely the right moment to alter the trajectory of a series. Both teams will now prepare for Game 5 with the knowledge that small adjustments in the final frame can decide who advances.

The Avalanche showed they can adjust and deliver when the series demands it most.