Why Colorado's 5-1 victory over the Wild means far more than you think

The Avalanche came away with a 5-1 win that did not feel flashy, but it felt earned. They defended harder, managed pucks better, and avoided the long stretches of chaos that have sunk them too often this season.

Graham Tiedtke from Mile High Sticking writes that Nathan MacKinnon drove the offense with his usual pace and urgency, finishing with a goal and an assist to push his season point total higher. Martin Necas added another goal, continuing a quietly productive stretch after a choppy early December.

Just as important was the work behind them. Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 28 shots and looked calmer tracking rebounds, especially during a second period push from Minnesota that could have flipped the game quickly.

Colorado's defensive details stood out early. The Avalanche closed gaps through the neutral zone, forced dump-ins, and limited the Wild's ability to generate clean slot looks at five on five.

This was one of those nights where it finally looked like five skaters were on the same page, something fans have been begging to see for weeks.

Valeri Nichushkin's return continues to matter. He did not score, but his board work and defensive positioning helped tilt shifts, particularly when Colorado needed to protect a lead late.

The penalty kill also delivered. Minnesota went zero for three, and Colorado's forwards were aggressive up ice, disrupting entries before they could set up their umbrella.

There is still plenty to clean up. The Avalanche gave up odd-man rushes after risky pinches, and faceoffs remain an adventure, especially in the defensive zone.

Still, this win mattered because of the opponent. Minnesota has been chasing Colorado in the Central, and games between these teams rarely come easy or calm.

Colorado now sits more comfortably in the division race, and the vibes around the room feel steadier. It was not perfect hockey, but it was connected hockey, and that has been missing too often.

If this becomes the standard effort, not a one-night spike, the Avalanche have a real base to build on heading deeper into the schedule.