Avalanche vs. Wild prediction: Why Colorado is favored to win Game 3 [2026]

The Minnesota Wild will face the Colorado Avalanche in the 2026 NHL Playoffs at Grand Casino Arena on Saturday, starting at 9:00 PM ET.

Based on the latest simulation results, Dimers' proven NHL model projects the Avalanche as the most likely winner of the Avalanche vs. Wild Game 3 matchup.

This article offers a closer look at Saturday's matchup, including projected goal scorers, best bets and player prop picks.

Avs vs. Wild prediction: Who will win Game 3?

Using trusted machine learning and data, we have simulated the result of Saturday's NHL Playoffs matchup between the Avalanche and Wild, forming part of our NHL predictions coverage.

Our leading predictive model currently gives the Avalanche a 55% chance of defeating the Wild in Game 3 of the series.

According to our model, the Wild (+1.5) have a 66% chance of covering the puck line, while the over/under total of 6.5 goals has a 55% chance of staying under.

Avalanche vs. Wild Game 3 odds

We have researched the best NHL odds in America for this game, which are listed here:

Bet Type	Avalanche	Wild
Puck Line	-1.5 (+180)	+1.5 (-215)
Moneyline	-130	+112
Total	o6.5 (+102)	u6.5 (-120)

All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Avalanche vs. Wild picks and best bet for Game 3

After matching our predictions against the best available odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:

Bet Type	Pick	Bet Now
Puck Line	Wild +1.5	-215
Moneyline	Avalanche	-130
Total	Under 6.5	-120

According to our NHL best bets, the top play to make on this game is Under 6.5 total goals.

These picks are based on our probabilities matched against the implied probabilities from the sportsbook odds.

Avalanche vs. Wild player props

Who will score a goal in Avalanche vs. Wild?

According to our model, Kirill Kaprizov is most likely to score an anytime goal in Avalanche vs. Wild.

Our projections give Kaprizov a 38.3% chance of scoring a goal at Grand Casino Arena, while the star is a 7.2% chance of netting the first goal the game.

Anytime goal scorer predictions

Colorado Avalanche

Player	Anytime Goal Probability
Nathan MacKinnon	31.5%
Gabriel Landeskog	28.4%
Martin Necas	27.3%
Cale Makar	24.4%
Valeri Nichushkin	23.8%

Minnesota Wild

Player	Anytime Goal Probability
Kirill Kaprizov	38.3%
Matt Boldy	35.1%
Ryan Hartman	22.5%
Vladimir Tarasenko	19.0%
Quinn Hughes	17.8%

First goal scorer predictions

Colorado Avalanche

Player	First Goal Probability
Nathan MacKinnon	6.1%
Gabriel Landeskog	5.5%
Martin Necas	4.9%
Cale Makar	4.7%
Artturi Lehkonen	4.5%

Minnesota Wild

Player	First Goal Probability
Kirill Kaprizov	7.2%
Matt Boldy	6.8%
Ryan Hartman	4.1%
Quinn Hughes	3.4%
Vladimir Tarasenko	3.2%

Avs vs. Wild Game 3 updates and essential details

Saturday's Game 3 between the Wild and Avalanche in the Stanley Cup Playoffs is scheduled to begin at 9:00 PM ET.

• Who: Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild
• Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026
• Time: 9:00 PM ET/6:00PM PT
• Venue: Grand Casino Arena

The Stanley Cup Playoffs is the National Hockey League's annual elimination tournament to decide the winner of the Stanley Cup.

A total of 16 teams, including the Avalanche and Wild, made the NHL Playoffs 2026, which includes four rounds: the First Round, Second Round, Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Finals.

Each round is played as a best-of-seven series, with the first team to four wins moving on to the next round until a champion is crowned.

Conclusion

We predict the Avalanche, with a 55% win probability, will likely beat the Wild in Saturday's NHL matchup.

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