COLORADO HOCKEY DAILY | NHL TEAM | COLORADO AVALANCHE

Why the Avalanche's win over the Wild proved what we already knew

PUBLICATION

Marshall Stinson
December 23, 2025 (6:06 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

The Colorado Avalanche earned their payback against the Minnesota Wild with a dominant 5-1 victory, handing Minnesota its first loss since acquiring Quinn Hughes.

Cale Makar once again showed why he is the undisputed top defenseman in the division, while the win also served as a response to Jesper Wallstedt's comments following the Wild's victory over Colorado a few weeks earlier.

The win was a full team effort and even featured a rare power play goal for the Avalanche, who are in the process of improving that area of their game.

Avalanche prove the Wild still have a long way to go.

Nestor Quixtan of Mile High Sticking reported on what the win for the Avalanche meant against the Wild.

With the Wild adding Hughes, many began to question whether they had finally reached the Avalanche's level. Those doubts were quickly put to rest with a dominant 5-1 thrashing

"The Avalanche also made another crucial statement on Sunday. They effectively neutralized the positive effect Quinn Hughes has had on the Wild. Since joining the Wild, Hughes has played a ton of minutes for the team. And it's helped them get a jump on their opponents. But not against the Avalanche. Colorado effectively neutralized Hughes' impact on the ice. Hughes played for nearly 27 minutes across 22 shifts. He did not register a point and ended the game with a minus-1." -Quixtan

Cale Makar, meanwhile, delivered a goal and two assists, elevating his game when it mattered most and once again proving that no one is close to his level among NHL defensemen.

Makar now sits inside the top 10 in league scoring as a blueliner and is on pace to eclipse the 100-point mark this season. The win also served as a direct rebuttal to Jesper Wallstedt's comments from the previous matchup, making it a satisfying, feel-good moment for the Avalanche as a whole.

"The Swedish netminder's words came back to bite him in the rear end on Sunday. The Avalanche laid the wood on the Wild. Colorado skated away with a convincing 5-1 win over the Wild. If there was any doubt as to who is «kind of better» in the NHL, it's the Colorado Avalanche." -Quixtan

The Avalanche will have one more game against the Utah Mammoth before their holiday break, where they'll look to further strengthen their reputation as the NHL's best team.

Previously on Colorado Hockey Daily

Gavin Brindley continues to complicate things for the Colorado Avalanche

Avalanche face a tough test tonight as win streak hangs in the balance

Avalanche reportedly closing in on 3 stunning trade targets to supercharge their roster

POLL
DECEMBRE 23 \| 50 ANSWERS Why the Avalanche's win over the Wild proved what we already knew Are the Colorado Avalanche undeniably the best team in the NHL?
Yes	49	98 %
No	1	2 %
List of polls

Why the Avalanche's win over the Wild proved what we already knew

The Colorado Avalanche earned their payback against the Minnesota Wild with a dominant 5-1 victory, handing Minnesota its first loss since acquiring Quinn Hughes.

Avalanche prove the Wild still have a long way to go.

Are the Colorado Avalanche undeniably the best team in the NHL?