The puck drops Sunday night in Denver as the Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche kick off their second-round Stanley Cup Playoff series at Ball Arena. Game 1 is set for 9 p.m. ET on TNT, and this matchup promises to be a high-stakes battle between two teams taking very different paths to get here.
For the Wild, this is a moment they've been waiting for. Minnesota punched their ticket to Round 2 by defeating the Dallas Stars in six games—their first playoff series win since 2015. Quinn Hughes led the charge in the clincher with two goals and an assist, while Matt Boldy added a pair of scores and goaltender Jesper Wallstedt stopped 21 shots in a commanding 5-2 victory. That win has injected a surge of momentum into a team that's hungry to prove itself on a bigger stage.
However, the Wild will have to navigate some early adversity. Key players Joel Eriksson Ek and Jonas Brodin are both sidelined for the first two games, a significant loss against an Avalanche squad known for its speed and depth. That puts extra pressure on Minnesota's supporting cast to step up from the opening faceoff.
Colorado, meanwhile, arrives well-rested after a dominant 4-0 sweep in the first round. Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar have been electric, and the Avalanche look every bit the contender they were expected to be. But don't let the sweep fool you—this isn't a guaranteed walk in the park. The season series between these two teams went 2-1-1 in Minnesota's favor, proving the Wild can hang with the best. Colorado won't be able to coast despite having home ice.
At the heart of this series are the stars who make it must-watch hockey. For Colorado, it's MacKinnon and Makar. For Minnesota, it's Kirill Kaprizov, Quinn Hughes, Matt Boldy, and Wallstedt between the pipes. Game 1 will likely come down to whether a shorthanded Wild team can survive Colorado's early surge in Denver. If they can, this series could get very interesting very quickly.
Whether you're a die-hard fan or just tuning in for the playoff intensity, this is a matchup you won't want to miss. Make sure you're ready to catch every moment of the action.
If you're looking to stream the game live, DIRECTV has you covered. With the MySports® Genre Pack®, you can watch the NHL Playoffs and more live sports on your phone, TV, or tablet—no cable required. The pack includes top channels like NHL Network, NBA TV, MLB Network, and FS1 for $64.99/month*, plus you get an ESPN Unlimited subscription** as a bonus. New users can start with a 5-day free trial, and there's no annual contract, so you can cancel anytime. Just keep in mind that local channels vary by market, blackout restrictions apply, and a valid card is required for the trial.
Don't let regional restrictions keep you from the action. Gear up, find your spot on the couch, and get ready for a thrilling night of playoff hockey.