Hockey

Avalanche Aim to Extend Lead as Wild Seek First Win in Game 3 Showdown

by
Richard Hayes
May 9, 2026

The Minnesota Wild are poised to claim their first victory in the second round of the NHL playoffs as they face off against the Colorado Avalanche in Game 3. After dropping the first two games of the series in Denver, the Wild will look to leverage their home-ice advantage at the Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul.

With the Avalanche currently favored by 1.5 goals, the stakes are high for Minnesota, who desperately need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. This matchup promises to be intense, as both teams are eager to assert their dominance in the series.

Fans can catch the action on TNT, truTV, HBO, and CBC, with the puck dropping at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. For those preferring to stream, ESPN+ will provide live coverage, and updates can be followed on Yahoo Sports.

The betting lines reflect the competitive nature of this matchup, with the Minnesota Wild sitting at +1.5 on the spread and a moneyline of +108 (46.0%) compared to the Avalanche’s -130 (54.0%). The total for the game is set at an over/under of 6.5, which suggests a potentially high-scoring affair.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.

Related TopicsAvalanche Hockey Hockey News Wild

Richard Hayes

Richard Hayes is the go-to writer for all things soccer at 21Sports.com. His international perspective and in-depth knowledge of the game have made him a trusted voice in the industry. Richard’s experience covering major leagues around the world allows him to offer unique insights that resonate with both casual fans and die-hard enthusiasts. When not covering matches, Richard enjoys coaching youth soccer in his community.