Minnesota Wild Aims for Comeback Against Colorado Avalanche in Crucial Game 3

Minnesota Wild Aims for Comeback Against Colorado Avalanche in Crucial Game 3

The Minnesota Wild face a pivotal moment in their playoff journey as they take on the Colorado Avalanche in Game 3 of the second round of the 2026 NHL playoffs on Saturday. Currently trailing the series 2-0, the Wild must find a way to recover after two decisive losses at home, with scores of 9-6 in Game 1 and 5-2 in Game 2. Set to take place at Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, Minn., the match is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET. According to the latest betting odds, the Avalanche are favored at -130 (meaning a risk of $130 to win $100), while the over/under for total goals is set at 6.5. Before placing any bets, it's crucial to consider insights from the SportsLine Projection Model, which has successfully simulated NHL games 10,000 times. Entering the second round, the model boasted a +668 return on top-rated money-line NHL picks, providing a strong track record for bettors. Key betting insights include: Avalanche money line: -130 Wild money line: +108 Over/Under: 6.5 goals Avalanche puck line: -1.5 (+180) The model predicts a shift in dynamics for Game 3, suggesting that the offensive outburst seen in the first two games may not continue. It forecasts that both goalies, Scott Wedgewood for Colorado and Jasper Wallstedt for Minnesota, will achieve a save percentage around 90%, leading to an expected total of 5.8 goals in the game. Consequently, the model leans towards the Under hitting 61% of the time. For those looking to make informed picks, the model indicates that one side of the money line presents significant value. More detailed predictions and betting advice are available at SportsLine.

Source: CBS Sports - 2026-05-09