The Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild delivered a playoff classic for the ages, combining for 15 goals in a wild 9-6 Game 1 victory for the Avalanche on Sunday night. It was the kind of offensive explosion that hasn't been seen in decades—only the 10th playoff game ever with at least 15 combined goals and just the second since 1994.
But the story of the night was Cale Makar. After taking a scary hit from Marcus Foligno along the boards in the first period—his right leg flying into the air before he crashed to the ice—the star defenseman left with an undisclosed injury. He tested his skating with some twirls at the end of the first period and returned for the second, where he promptly recorded an assist. Then, in the third period, he delivered two goals, including the game-winner with 2:54 remaining to make it 8-6. Nathan MacKinnon added an empty-netter with 2:08 left to seal the win.
This was supposed to be a battle of elite defenses and top-tier goaltending. Instead, it turned into a track meet. Scott Wedgewood, who led the league in goals-against average this season, allowed one more goal than he did in the entire first-round sweep of the Los Angeles Kings. He still made 30 saves, while Minnesota's Jesper Wallstedt stopped 34 shots. Both goalies made timely stops, but the puck kept finding the net.
The Avalanche jumped out to a 3-0 lead just 6:47 into the game, looking like a well-rested team ready to roll. But the Wild steadily clawed back, taking a 5-4 lead on a short-handed goal from Foligno late in the second period. Devon Toews tied it at 5-5 before the period ended, setting up a wild third period where both teams traded blows until Makar took over.
Colorado improved to 72-1 since moving to Denver in 1995-96 when leading a playoff game by three or more goals. Their only loss in that span? Game 5 against St. Louis in the season they went on to win the Stanley Cup.
With five goals in each period and 14 different players finding the back of the net, this Game 1 was a reminder that in the playoffs, anything can happen—even when two of the league's best defensive teams and goaltenders are on the ice. For fans of high-scoring hockey, this was a masterpiece. For goalies, it was a night to forget.