Parker Kelly netted the go-ahead goal with 8:28 remaining in the third period, leading the Colorado Avalanche to a 5-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild in Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Nathan MacKinnon and Brock Nelson each added empty-net goals in the final minute as Colorado took a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Nazem Kadri and Ross Colton also scored for the Avalanche, while Martin Necas contributed two assists and goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood made 19 saves.
Danila Yurov and Nico Sturm found the back of the net for the Wild, who now face elimination as the series shifts back to Denver for Game 5 on Wednesday night.
Minnesota netminder Jesper Wallstedt stopped 29 of 32 shots in the loss.
With the game tied at 2-2, Kelly forced a turnover from the Wild and unleashed a one-timer from the slot. The rising shot marked his first career playoff goal.
Minnesota pulled Wallstedt for an extra attacker with under two minutes left, but Blackwood held firm. Colorado capitalized on MacKinnon’s empty-netter with 32.6 seconds to play, followed by Nelson’s goal with 7.3 seconds remaining.
The Wild struck first on a power play with 10:14 left in the first period. Brock Faber fired a one-timer from just inside the blue line, and Yurov deflected it in for his first career playoff goal.
Colorado replied with a power-play goal of their own at 13:52 of the second period. Kadri shot from the right circle, and after Wallstedt made the initial save, the rebound bounced back to Kadri, who buried the second chance.
Colton gave Colorado a 2-1 lead at 13:04 of the third period. Nicolas Roy held the puck in the right circle and slid it across the slot to Colton, who fired it home.
Minnesota responded to tie the game at 2-2 with 10:45 remaining. Quinn Hughes sent a backhand pass to Sturm, who connected on a one-timer from the right circle.
MacKinnon briefly left the game late in the second period after taking a puck to the face, covering his mouth and nose with a towel as he exited. He returned for the start of the third period.
With their commanding series lead, the Avalanche are now one win away from advancing to the Western Conference final. The Wild must win Game 5 to keep their postseason hopes alive.
