Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Cale Makar across Hockey.
Since entering the NHL in 2017, the Vegas Golden Knights have amassed 14 playoff series victories and now stand on the brink of another deep run, facing the league‑top Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference finals.
The Colorado Avalanche will host the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2026 Western Conference Final, aiming to add another championship to a storied postseason run that has already seen them drop just one loss in nine games.
Bill Guerin, the general manager of the Minnesota Wild, faces the task of building a team capable of defeating the dominant Colorado Avalanche. Despite having star players like Quinn Hughes, Matt Boldy, and Brock Faber, the Wild struggle with speed and special teams, which were exposed in their playoff series against the Avalanche. Guerin has the flexibility this offseason to address these issues, including potentially signing Hughes to a long-term extension and targeting faster players in free agency or via trade. The Wild's success will depend on their ability to match the Avalanche's speed and skill, as well as improve their penalty kill, which was a key factor in their Olympic success.
Colorado’s Avalanche erased a late deficit to defeat Minnesota 4‑3, securing a home series win for the first time in 18 years and setting up a showdown with the Dallas Stars.
Colorado erased a three‑goal hole, with Nathan MacKinnon forcing overtime and Brett Kulak delivering the decisive goal, securing a historic home series victory.
Colorado erased a three-goal deficit, with Nathan MacKinnon tying the game in regulation and Brett Kulak sealing a 4-3 overtime victory that sends the Avalanche to the Western Conference final.
In a dramatic Game 5, the Colorado Avalanche rallied from a three‑goal hole to defeat the Minnesota Wild 4‑3 in overtime, advancing to the conference finals for the first time in nearly two decades.
The Avalanche erased a 3‑0 deficit to defeat the Wild 4‑3 in overtime, with Brett Kulak’s sudden‑death goal and Nathan MacKinnon’s sixth straight game scoring streak.
Rick Tocchet’s first season transformed a young Philadelphia Flyers roster into a playoff contender through disciplined defense. Now he plans to add a potent offensive dimension, emphasizing puck possession, wall work and power‑play improvement, while keeping the defensive structures that earned early success.
Colorado leads the series 3‑1, boasting 20 goals from 15 different scorers, and can close it out at home on Wednesday. Key players are sidelined, and the Wild’s forechecking has faltered.
A series that began with optimism for the Minnesota Wild concluded with a loss to the Colorado Avalanche, exposing both the team’s progress and the gaps that remain between them and a true contender.
Colorado Avalanche defeated Minnesota Wild 5-2 in Game 4, taking a 3-1 series lead and moving one win away from the Western Conference Final.
Mackenzie Blackwood’s standout performance, a 20‑4 shot advantage and timely goals from Ross Colton and Parker Kelly powered the Colorado Avalanche to a pivotal Game 4 victory, putting them one win away from closing out the series at Ball Arena.
Brock Faber’s point‑per‑game pace, defensive metrics and contract extension have turned him into a cornerstone for Minnesota, especially as he and Quinn Hughes forge a partnership reminiscent of Chicago’s legendary defensive duos.
A three‑day break and home‑ice comfort allowed the Minnesota Wild to execute their game plan, with special teams and Jesper Wallstedt’s heroics leading a 5‑1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche.