Colorado Avalanche vs Minnesota Wild Betting Picks

Minnesota looks to avoid elimination, and it has some history on its side as Colorado hasn't clinched a playoff series at home since 2008. The Avalanche is also dealing with injuries to forward Artturi Lehkonen and defenseman Sam Malinski, who are listed as day-to-day. Jesper Wallstedt stopped 29 of 32 shots on Monday before the Avs got two empty-net goals. The game was close until the final moments, even though the Wild didn't play their best game. Wallstedt is likely to start Game 5 with a 2.66 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage in this year's postseason. He had 35 saves in Game 3 when Minnesota won 5-1. It's a tough task going into Denver for any hockey team, but Minnesota has proven it can rise to the occasion in big games. The Wild are 26-15 with revenge this season, and 12-6 when avenging a home loss. Take the Wild to extend the series and go back home for Game 6. 

Combine the Wild +1.5 (-200) and the Thunder (-550) into a 2-team parlay at -129 odds.

Colorado has scored 14 goals in two games against the Wild, who have been overwhelmed by the Avalanche's offensive firepower. Game 1 was a track meet as the Avs won 9-6 and though Game 2 was a little more toned down, it still went OVER as Colorado won 5-2. Jesper Wallstedt was bombarded with eight goals allowed in Game 1 and then the Wild went with Filip Gustavsson in Game 2 and he gave up goals on the opening two shots of the first period before settling down and stopping 18 of 22 shots for the game. The 14 goals for Colorado are the most in the first two games of a playoff series since 1988 when Calgary scored 15 against Los Angeles. Twelve different Avs players have scored so far in the series. Minnesota has gone OVER five of its past six games and four in a row. Take the OVER.

Minnesota did all it could to keep pace with Colorado in Game 1, leading 5-4 late in the second, but they couldn't slow down the relentless Avalanche, who roared back to win, 9-6. Minnesota is on the road again and will be shorthanded, without Joel Eriksson Ek (fifth on the team in points and in scoring) and defenseman Jonas Brodin. During the regular season, Minnesota allowed the fifth-most shots on goal and was 16th in penalty killing. Colorado put up 43 shots and nine goals on a Minnesota defense that was fourth in goals allowed. Colorado ranked No. 1 in goals given up (2.40 per game), save percentage (.914), and in penalty killing, while the offense was No. 1 in goals scored (3.63 per game). Counting the postseason, Colorado is 29-9-6 on home ice. Play Colorado. 

Minnesota dispatched No. 2 seed Dallas in six games, including two wins on the road as underdogs. They're second in the playoffs in goals scored (3.83 per game), after ranking 11th in goals (3.27 per game) and third on the power play during the season, while the defense was fourth in goals given up (2.87 per game) and second in save percentage (.908). Trading for star defenseman Quinn Hughes rocketed them into a Cup contender, going 29-15-7 since the trade. They play a physical game, out-hitting Dallas 42-22, 37-34, 35-27, 49-39, and 24-20 in five of the six games. They've also won three of the last five against Colorado, including a 5-2 win at Colorado as a +130 underdog in February and a 3-2 victory earlier in the season as a +165 dog. Minnesota is allowing 2.50 goals per game in the postseason, while Colorado is second (1.25 per game) after being No. 1 during the season, allowing 2.40 goals per game. Colorado is on a 22-8-4 run UNDER the total. Play Minnesota + UNDER the total.