Avs Dominate Wild, Up 2-0

Colorado asserts its Stanley Cup pedigree early, handing Minnesota a 2-0 series deficit that has Wild coach Dean Evason scrambling for answers. The Avalanche's top-end talent overwhelms a Minnesota squad that's fought tooth and nail all season, but now faces elimination pressure in Denver's thin air. With MacKinnon's line dictating play and the Wild's penalty kill exposed, this series hinges on whether Minnesota can claw back before Colorado seals the deal.