Avalanche have the Wild on the ropes after dominant Game 4 win

The Colorado Avalanche kept the Minnesota Wild at arm’s-length, securing a 5-2 win in Game 4 of their Western Conference Second Round matchup at Grand Casino Arena to take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-7 series.

Minnesota opened scoring at 9:46 of the first period when Danila Yurov netted his first career playoff goal on a deflection from Brock Faber’s point shot during a four-minute power play. The man advantage came after Josh Manson received a double minor penalty for an incident involving Michael McCarron and a butt-ending review.

Colorado responded in the second period at 6:08 with Nazem Kadri scoring on a power play. His initial attempt was stopped by Jesper Wallstedt, but he converted the rebound just seven seconds into the advantage to level the game 1-1.

The Avalanche, the No. 1 seed from the Central Division, were outshot 20-5 in the early stretch but broke through again in the third period. Ross Colton scored at 6:56 from Nicolas Roy’s pass, giving Colorado a 2-1 lead. Nico Sturm answered for the Wild at 9:15, finishing a Quinn Hughes backhand feed from a tight angle to make it 2-2.

Parker Kelly then scored his first career Stanley Cup Playoff goal at 11:32 of the third, converting a Jack Drury setup after a turnover by Jake Middleton, putting the Avalanche ahead 3-2.

Mackenzie Blackwood made 19 saves in his first start of the postseason, while Wallstedt stopped 29 shots for Minnesota.

The final score was set by late empty-net goals. Nathan MacKinnon scored at 19:27 after returning from a puck-to-face injury that left him bloodied, and Brock Nelson added another at 19:52 for the 5-2 final.

Martin Necas recorded two assists, while Colton and Kelly each scored their first goals of the postseason.

The Avalanche can clinch a Western Conference Final berth in Game 5 on Wednesday in Denver.

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