Colorado Avalanche defenseman Sam Malinski, left, tumbles to the ice with Minnesota Wild right wing Mats Zuccarello while pursuing the puck n the second period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
DENVER (AP) — U.S. Olympian Matt Boldy had two goals and two assists, Filip Gustavsson stopped 44 shots and the Minnesota Wild beat the Colorado Avalanche 5-2 on Thursday night for their sixth straight victory.
In Minnesota's first game after the Olympic break, Boldy extended his points streak to seven games, and fellow U.S. teammate Quinn Hughes had his team-leading 53rd assist of the season.
Gustavsson improved to 17-2-4 in his past 23 games.
Joel Eriksson Ek had two power-play goals, giving him six goals in Minnesota’s past seven games and 26 points over his past 24 games. Mats Zuccarello also scored for Minnesota.
Martin Necas scored twice for NHL-leading Colorado, which returned from the break Wednesday night with a victory in Utah. The Avs are 5-6-2 in their past 13 after starting the season 33-4-7.
The Wild are 9-1-1 in their last 11. They are 33-0-8 when allowing three or fewer goals in regulation.
Colorado Avalanche center Ross Colton, second from left, puts a shot on Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson, left, after driving past defenseman Daemon Hunt, third form left, and right wing Danila Yurov in the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Minnesota Wild left wing Matt Boldy (12) looks to score as Colorado Avalanche center Parker Kelly, left, defends in the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood pulls on his mask during a break in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Minnesota Wild, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin, right, redirects the puck at Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson, left, in the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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