The Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild clash for Game 3 of their NHL Playoffs series on Saturday, May 9, with puck drop set for 9:00 p.m. ET. The Avalanche are favored to win, returning a 1.72x payout if they come out victorious, via PrizePicks Team Picks.
The Avalanche are one of two unbeaten teams in the playoffs entering Saturday’s action. Colorado seeks a 6-0 postseason start with a victory tonight after scoring 14 goals in the first two wins over Minnesota.
Below, we'll break down our Avalanche vs. Wild prediction and picks for Saturday’s NHL Game 3, including the puck line, over/under, and key player picks for PrizePicks.
Make your Avalanche vs. Wild picks on PrizePicks now for Game 3.
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Avalanche vs. Wild Prediction, Winner, Over/Under – Saturday, May 9
Colorado’s offense struggled in the first two games of the playoffs, tallying 2 goals apiece in a pair of close wins over Los Angeles. The Avalanche woke up in the final two wins of that series, outscoring the Kings 9-3 to pull off the sweep.
Colorado posted only 2 goals in the first period of the L.A. series, but the Avs have exploded for 5 goals in the opening frame in two wins over the Wild. In Game 1, the Avs scored 9 goals on 43 shots but needed only 23 shots to put up 5 goals in Monday's 5-2 victory in Game 2.
A scheduling conflict at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul led to a lengthy three days off between Games 2 and 3.
Minnesota C Joel Eriksson Ek is questionable with a lower-body injury, as he practiced on Friday after missing the first two games.
Avalanche vs. Wild Winner Payout, Over/Under – Saturday, May 9
The Avalanche enter Saturday’s Game 3 as road favorites against the Wild, returning a 1.72x payout if they win outright, via PrizePicks Team Picks.
Here are the full payouts for the Avalanche vs. Wild game on PrizePicks.
- Puck Line: Colorado Avalanche -1.5 (2.63x payout)
- Over/Under: 6.5 (1.96x payout on Over)
- Game Winner Payout: Avalanche 1.72x | Wild 2.04x
Play the Avalanche vs. Wild winner or over/under on PrizePicks Team Picks to earn real money — available in 35 states!
Team Picks data is live as of writing and is subject to change.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild Timeline
Here is the full Avalanche vs. Wild timeline, including the playoff series game-by-game and recent matchup history.
All-Time: Avalanche, 79-66-3-7
Regular Season: Avalanche, 3-2
Series: Avalanche, 2-0
Avalanche vs. Wild Western Conference Semifinals Timeline, Schedule for 2026 NHL Playoffs
- Game 1: Avalanche 9, Wild 6
- Game 2: Avalanche 5, Wild 2
- Game 3: Saturday, May 9, 9:00 p.m. ET in Minnesota
- Game 4: Monday, May 11, TBD in Minnesota
- Game 5-7: If necessary
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Avalanche vs. Wild Prediction on Winner for NHL Playoffs, Game 3
Here are the key game stats and trends behind our Avalanche vs. Wild prediction on the Game 3 winner for Saturday, May 9.
Lock in your Avalanche vs. Wild prediction on PrizePicks before the line moves.
- The Wild scored 3 goals in each of their first two home games vs. the Stars in the first round. Minnesota erupted for 5 goals in its home series clincher against Dallas.
- Colorado is averaging a league-best 4.5 goals per game in the playoffs. That number improves to 5.75 goals per contest in the past four outings.
- Both teams have scored 4 power play goals apiece in the playoffs. Three of those tallies from Colorado came in the first two games of this series.
- Minnesota’s penalty kill has struggled this postseason, owning a 59.4% rate, an incredible drop from a 79.8% clip in the regular season.
- From a first-period perspective, the Wild didn’t score a goal in the opening 20 minutes in four regular-season matchups. Minnesota compiled 3 goals in the first period in the first two defeats.
- Avalanche C Nathan MacKinnon scored 4 goals and put up 3 assists against Minnesota in the regular season. His domination continued in this round, tallying 6 points over two games of this series.
Avalanche vs. Wild Player Picks, Stats for PrizePicks – 5/9/26
Here are the top Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild picks to target in Game 3 on PrizePicks for Saturday, May 9. Today’s NHL picks for PrizePicks include Kirill Kaprizov and Scott Wedgewood.
Avalanche G Scott Wedgewood vs. Wild Projection: 26.5 Goalie Saves
- Wedgewood made exactly 24 saves in each of the four wins against the Kings.
- According to MoneyPuck, Wedgewood owns 3.2 goals saved above expected, which is seventh among playoff goalies.
- In each of the first two victories over the Wild, the 33-year-old compiled at least 29 saves.
- In the first round, Dallas goalie Jake Oettinger made at least 27 saves in regulation in one of six games.
Add Scott Wedgewood to your PrizePicks Lineup now.
Wild LW Kirill Kaprizov vs. Avalanche Projection: 22.75 Minutes TOI
- Kaprizov is averaging 24:07 TOI in the postseason, including 36:22 in a double-overtime loss to the Stars in Game 3 of the first round.
- The Russian star posted 23:12 on the ice in Game 2 against Colorado, his second-highest total in a regulation playoff game.
- He finished below this projection in four of six games against the Avalanche this season.
- According to Shiftchart.com, in the two overtime games against Dallas, Kaprizov put up 21:58 and 22:12 TOI in regulation.
Add Kirill Kaprizov to your PrizePicks Lineup now.
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Make Avalanche vs. Wild Game 3 Picks on PrizePicks
Minnesota has fallen in a 2-0 hole against Colorado in the Western Conference semifinals. Will the Wild rebound at home, or will the Avalanche remain undefeated in the postseason with another victory?
Don’t wait until puck drop — make your Avalanche vs. Wild picks on PrizePicks now and earn real money if you’re right.
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