The Colorado Avalanche defeated the Minnesota Wild 4-3 in overtime on May 13 to advance to the Western Conference Final [3, 5].
This victory marks a historic turnaround in the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs, as the team overcame a deficit that rarely results in a series win. The result returns the franchise to the conference finals for the first time since 2022 [6].
The Avalanche entered the final stages of the second-round series trailing 0-3 [1]. To secure the win, Colorado scored two goals in the final four minutes of regulation to force the game into overtime [2].
Brett Kulak scored the overtime winner to finalize the 4-3 score and eliminate the Wild [4, 5]. The win allows the Avalanche to move forward in the tournament and compete for a spot in the Stanley Cup Final [4].
The team's ability to erase a three-game hole is a rare feat in NHL history. The late-game surge in regulation shifted the momentum of the series, a turnaround that culminated in Kulak's decisive goal [2, 5].
“The Avalanche rallied from a 0-3 series deficit”
Overcoming a 0-3 deficit in a best-of-seven series is one of the rarest achievements in professional sports. By erasing this lead, the Avalanche have not only secured a spot in the Western Conference Final but have also gained significant psychological momentum heading into the final stages of the 2026 playoffs.
