Todd Cordell
• Betting Analyst
12+ years betting experience
Updated:
May 9, 2026 , 05:55 PM ET
• 3 min read
Cordell’s prediction: Boldy sends an avalanche of shots towards Colorado’s net.
Photo By – Reuters Connect. Minnesota Wild forward Matt Boldy (12).
- UPDATE: Added a prediction for who will win tonight.
Matt Boldy is shooting the lights out in the playoffs, leading all players with 37 shots on goal.
My Avalanche vs. Wild predictions expect the volume to remain strong in what’s essentially a must-win Game 3 at home.
Let’s break it all down with my NHL picks for Saturday, May 9.
Puck drop is set for 9 p.m. ET from Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, with the game airing on TNT and Sportsnet.
Avalanche vs Wild Game 3 prediction tonight
Who will win Avalanche vs Wild Game 3?
Wild: High-danger chances are 27-27 through two games. The Wild have played the Avalanche fairly tough, but .788 SV% goaltending has held them back.
The Wild ranked second in team SV% during the regular season, so even against elite competition, we should expect much better moving forward.
If the Wild get some saves, they have a good chance of getting back into the series on home ice.
Avalanche vs Wild best bet: Matt Boldy Over 3.5 shots on goal (-135)
Matt Boldy was one of the league’s best shot-generators during the regular season, and the Minnesota Wild forward has seen his volume skyrocket further in the playoffs.
Boldy leads all players with 37 shots on goal, good for an average of 4.6 per game. He is averaging nearly nine shot attempts and has recorded at least seven in all eight games. The volume is incredibly consistent.
Now he is back home, where he has gone Over in all three playoff games while attempting double-digit shots in two of them.
Desperate for a win to get back in the series, the Wild will be heavily reliant on their star sniper.
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Avalanche vs Wild Game 3 same-game parlay
Boldy has piled up 11 points through eight playoff games and put forth more multi-point performances (three) than zeros (two). He also hit the scoresheet in all three home dates.
If Boldy threatens the net with at least four shots, there is a good chance he will produce.
It’s all about Nathan MacKinnon for the Colorado Avalanche. The Wild allowed the fourth most shots to centers this year, and MacKinnon has taken full advantage.
Regular season included, MacKinnon has averaged 5.66 shots on target while going Over 3.5 in all six meetings.
Avalanche vs Wild SGP
- Matt Boldy Over 3.5 shots on goal
- Matt Boldy Over 0.5 points
- Nathan MacKinnon Over 3.5 shots on goal
Avalanche vs Wild Game 3 goal scorer pick
Ryan Hartman (+240)
Ryan Hartman leads the Wild in scoring chances (28) and high-danger opportunities (21) during the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Scott Wedgewood sports the second-lowest high-danger SV% among goaltenders still playing. Hartman is a likely candidate to take advantage.
Avalanche vs Wild odds for Game 3 today
- Moneyline: Avalanche -125 | Wild +105
- Puck Line: Avalanche -1.5 (+190) | Wild +1.5 (-230)
- Over/Under: Over 6.5 (+105) | Under 6.5 (-125)
Avalanche vs Wild trend
Boldy has eclipsed 3.5 shots in eight of his last 10 home games. Find more NHL betting trends for Avalanche vs. Wild.
How to watch Avalanche vs Wild Game 3
| Location | Grand Casino Arena, Saint Paul, MN |
| Date | Saturday, May 9, 2026 |
| Puck drop | 9:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | TNT, Sportsnet |
Avalanche vs Wild latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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