The Colorado Avalanche finally know who they will be facing in round 2 of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Following Game 6 between the Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild, the Wild have advanced to the second round, and the Avs no longer have to wait.
Personally, I’m a fan of this because I don’t really like the idea of giving the Stars another crack at the Avs, who they beat in last year’s postseason. Don’t get me wrong—I’d gladly welcome them to face the Avs, but it’s just kind of nice to see the Stars head home prior to facing Colorado.
That being said, while a lot of people would agree that the Avs should single-handedly beat the Wild, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman appears to indirectly disagree. Friedman views the matchup as Stanley Cup calibre.
Colorado/Minnesota for the Central
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) May 1, 2026
A Stanley Cup calibre matchup in Round 2
To me, this reads as Friedman maybe thinking that this matchup will go to Game 7. I’m not sold on that, given that the Wild aren’t that deep of a team. Compared to a lot of other teams in the postseason, I’m glad that the Avs are going to face Minnesota.
After Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy, and perhaps Quinn Hughes, I’m not too scared of the Wild roster.
That being said, Jesper Wallstedt has been awesome in goal for the Wild. He had a 4-2 record in the first round, with a save percentage of .924 and goals-against average of 2.05. He saved 171 of 185 shots in the first series.
Of course, anything is possible in the world of sports. But, I like this matchup for the Avalanche, especially given the amount of rest they have been able to get since ending their first-round series against the Kings this past Sunday.
Now, the schedule for the second round has yet to be released, but we could see the Avalanche and Wild square off a week or even a little bit more than a week after the Avs last took the ice in a game. This gives them some time to heal any aches and pains they may have, and we know they have a couple.
I don’t want the Avalanche to go into this series expecting anything easy. Though they beat the Kings in four games, Los Angeles played them hard. I expect more of the same against the Wild. I just don’t want any chance of the Avs beating themselves.
They have to make the Wild work for every shot attempt while putting the pressure on them the entire series. If they do that, maybe we get another 4-0 series shutout.
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