Avalanche ride big plays and special teams to take 2-0 series lead

Colorado Avalanche beat the Minnesota Wild 5-2 to take a 2-0 series edge, riding a sharper defense and two timely power-play goals. Minnesota, hampered by injuries including Brodin and the absence of Eriksson Ek, got a shaky playoff return from Gustavsson but couldn’t slow the Avs’ top line or their improving power play, with MacKinnon finishing with multi-point night and Landeskog extending his point streak as Nichushkin added an empty-netter. Wild’s penalty kill remains a major issue, Boldy was held off the scoresheet, and the series shifts to Minnesota for Games 3 and 4 after three days off for adjustments.