DENVER (AP) — Brett Kulak scored 3:52 into overtime after Nathan MacKinnon tied it late in regulation and the Colorado Avalanche advanced to the Western Conference final with a 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Wild in Game 5 on Wednesday night.
Kulak capped a wild comeback for the Avalanche, who trailed 3-0 midway through the second period. Colorado moves on to the conference final for an eighth time since relocating to Denver in 1995-96.
The Avalanche will face the winner between the Vegas Golden Knights and Anaheim Ducks. Vegas leads that series 3-2.
With Minnesota up 3-1, Jack Drury scored with 3:33 remaining. which set the stage for MacKinnon’s goal scored with 1:23 left and Colorado’s goal empty.
MacKinnon whipped a shot from the left side past Jesper Wallstedt and into a small space in the top left corner.
In overtime, Martin Necas took the puck, glided behind the net and back out front, where he found an open Kulak.
It was a rare series-ending win at home for Colorado. The last time Colorado won a series on home ice was 2008 against the Wild, when the Avalanche featured Hall of Famers Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg.
Marcus Johansson scored 34 seconds into the game and Nick Foligno added two goals to give the Wild a 3-0 after the first period.
That led Colorado to take out Mackenzie Blackwood after the first and insert Scott Wedgewood, who made seven saves.
___
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Pat Graham, The Associated Press
