Avalanche spread the wealth in Game 4 win over Wild

Five Avalanche skaters score as team takes 3-1 series lead over Wild

Forward Nazem Kadri, who previously notched a goal in the high-scoring 9-6 Game 1 Colorado win, got the Avalanche on the board first with a tying goal on a power play.

Later, forwards Ross Colton and Parker Kelly got their first goals of the Stanley Cup playoffs — giving Colorado 14 goal-scorers in the series — with Colton's putting Colorado up 2-1 and Kelly's breaking a 2-2 tie.

Forward Brock Nelson became Colorado's 15th skater to score a goal this series with a late empty net goal to give the Avs a 5-2 lead.

The team's depth has been on full display this second-round series, putting it on the brink of the Western Conference Final for the first time since 2022, when the Avalanche went on to win the third Stanley Cup in franchise history.

With so many skaters capable of scoring, it will be difficult for opponents to stop them all. It also doesn't help that stars Nathan MacKinnon, who took a puck to the face late in the second period only to return for the third, Cale Makar and Martin Necas are playing at a high level, combining for 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) against the Wild.

The way the Avalanche are performing — beginning the playoffs 7-1 — they appear more than capable of becoming just the ninth team all-time to win the Presidents' Trophy and Stanley Cup in the same season. Colorado's stars are playing like stars, and its ancillary parts are filling in the gaps when necessary.

Several players have had a hand in the Avalanche taking a 3-1 series lead. It's anyone's guess who'll step up next.