Colorado Avalanche beat Minnesota Wild 9-6 in historic playoff shootout
The Colorado Avalanche overcame a blown three-goal lead to defeat the Minnesota Wild 9-6 in a historic Western Conference semi-final opener in Denver.
Cale Makar scored twice in the third period after returning from an earlier injury scare to secure victory for the hosts.
The 15-goal thriller was only the 10th match in NHL play-off history to reach that combined scoring tally.
It also marked just the second post-season fixture to feature 15 or more goals since 1994.
Makar returns to rescue Colorado
A well-rested Avalanche side initially raced into a 3-0 advantage within the opening seven minutes.
However, the visiting Wild steadily climbed back into the contest and eventually claimed a 5-4 advantage following Marcus Foligno’s short-handed strike.
Devon Toews restored parity for the home side before the second intermission.
The chaotic encounter featured 14 different goalscorers, tying the second-most in a single post-season fixture.
Goaltenders endure punishing evening
Both usually elite defensive units struggled to contain the blistering attacking pace on Sunday night.
Scott Wedgewood, who boasted the league’s best goals-against average this season, allowed more goals in this single match than he did during Colorado’s entire first-round sweep of the Los Angeles Kings.
Despite the inflated scoreline, the experienced netminder managed 30 saves while his opposite number Jesper Wallstedt stopped 34 shots.
The decisive moments arrived late as the elite defenceman Makar, who had limped off in the first period following a heavy collision, struck to make it 8-6.
Nathan MacKinnon then added an empty-net finish with just over two minutes remaining to seal the result.
Historical dominance continues
The victory improves the franchise’s remarkable post-season record to 72-1 when leading a match by three or more goals since relocating to Denver in 1995.
Their only blemish in such circumstances came against the St. Louis Blues during a season that ultimately ended with them lifting the Stanley Cup.
Game two of the best-of-seven series will take place in Denver on Tuesday night.