Nathan McKinnon’s goal at the 16:29 mark in the second period was not only the Avs’ first shot in over 13 minutes but also their third goal on just nine total shots to that point in the game – and that was just enough to squeak out a 3-2 win over the Minnesota Wild Wednesday night in St. Paul.
The Wild pressed late in the third and saw Kirill Kaprizov score his 31st goal of the season to draw within one of Colorado, but it wasn’t enough to turn around a scoreline that didn’t reflect the dominance the Wild displayed for much of night.
Minnesota out-shot the Avalanche 42-19 but they found the back the net just twice.
The Wild’s scoring issues were on full display all night. They went into the final period the out-shooting Colorado 27-10 but trailing 3-1.
The loss could prove significant by season’s end because the Wild and Avs were tied with 61 points entering the game. Now entering play Thursday, the Wild are tied with Calgary for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, though Calgary technically owns the tiebreaker.
Up next: Minnesota hosts Dallas Friday at 7 p.m.
