Avalanche’s Brett Kulak Seals Comeback, Sends Colorado to Western Conference Final

From a 3–0 hole to overtime heroics, Brett Kulak’s Game 5 goal propels the Avalanche into the next round.

In a stunning Game 5 on May 13, 2026, the Colorado Avalanche erased a three-goal deficit to beat the Minnesota Wild 4–3 in overtime. Defenseman Brett Kulak delivered the series-clinching goal, completing one of the most dramatic comebacks of the postseason and sending Colorado to its first Western Conference Final since 2022.

A Rocky Start: Wild Dominate Early

Game 5 began disastrously for Colorado. Just 34 seconds in, Minnesota’s Marcus Johansson scored, and veteran Nick Foligno added two more goals in the opening period to give the Wild a commanding 3–0 lead . Avalanche starting goalie Mackenzie Blackwood was pulled after surrendering those three goals on 13 shots, and Scott Wedgewood took over between the pipes .

Late Surge: Avalanche Mount Comeback

Colorado began clawing back in the second period when Parker Kelly cut the deficit to 3–1 . In the third, Jack Drury’s deflection made it 3–2, and with 1:23 left in regulation, Nathan MacKinnon—undeniably the team’s catalyst—sniped home the tying goal into the top-left corner to force overtime .