Prized rookie Cale Makar returned to the Avalanche lineup Friday night but another blown third-period lead at home followed. The Avs, who had dropped two straight in disappointing fashion at the Pepsi Center last week, played come-from-behind most of the night and wilted when it mattered most.
The Minnesota Wild rallied for two goals within 1:17 midway through the third period and defeated Colorado 6-4. Because of the NHL’s mandatory three-day Christmas break, the Wild had to travel to Denver on gameday, departing from Minneapolis at 8 a.m. CT.
But Minnesota was the sharper team in the third period, overcoming a 4-3 deficit with third-period goals from Mats Zuccarello and Victor Rask.