Avalanche’s Brett Kulak already looking ahead to West Final after Game 5 heroics

After taking a pass from Martin Necas, Brett Kulak fired a one-timer into the net to give the Colorado Avalanche the series-clinching win against the Minnesota Wild in Game 5. Now, he has his eyes on the Western Conference Finals and what the Avs could do next, according to a recap by NHL.com’s Ryan Boulding.

“I think now (I’ll) pay closer attention to that (series). The playoffs are a long grind, and you want to keep your focus narrow. It’s just been Minnesota the last number of days, but now we can get some rest and turn our attention. Just keep an eye on both teams and see how that series goes,” Kulak told Boulding.

Pavel Dorofeyev scored the game-winning goal in Game 5 against the Anaheim Ducks, giving the Vegas Golden Knights the 3-2 series lead. Ultimately, the Knights have a chance to clinch the series in Game 6 in Anaheim. The Ducks can force a Game 7 by winning Game 6 at Honda Center, which would then shift the series back to Las Vegas.

The Avalanche rallied from a 3-0 deficit to stun the Wild in overtime. Had they not, they would be preparing for Game 6 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Instead, they now have time to rest before battling the winner of the Golden Knights-Ducks. If the Golden Knights clinch tonight, there is a chance the Western Conference Finals could start as early as this Sunday. But if the Ducks win, Game 7 of that series would be on Saturday, giving Colorado even more rest.

This is the Avalanche’s first trip back to the Western Conference Finals since the 2022 season, when they won the Stanley Cup. They last played the Golden Knights in the 2020 Playoffs and the Ducks in the 2006 Playoffs.

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