Martin Necas embraces playoff pressure as Avalanche face Wild in Game 2

Key facts

• Martin Necas recorded two points in the first-round series against the Kings but was scoreless on 12 shots.
• Colorado defeated Minnesota 9-6 in Game 1 of Round 2 on May 3, 2026.
• Necas helped create Nathan MacKinnon's power-play goal by crashing the crease, occupying a defender.
• The Avalanche's power play scored its first goal in 10 postseason attempts during Game 1 against the Kings.
• Necas spoke to media ahead of Game 2 alongside coach Jared Bednar and teammates Logan O'Connor, Nazem Kadri, Sam Malinski, Devon Toews, Cale Makar, and Scott Wedgewood.
• Game 2 is part of the second-round series between the Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild.

A winger under the microscope

Martin Necas stood at his locker at Family Sports Center, facing questions about his playoff performance. The Colorado Avalanche winger had just two points in the first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings, and he was scoreless on 12 shots. His team advanced, but his own production had drawn scrutiny. As Necas began to answer, veteran defenseman Brent Burns, 41, leaned in from the adjacent stall, his beard bristling. “I wanna hear this dumb answer from this guy,” Burns said, grinning like a wicked uncle. The moment captured the blend of pressure and camaraderie inside the Avalanche locker room as they prepared for Game 2 of their second-round series against the Minnesota Wild.

Pressure as a privilege

Necas did not flinch. “Pressure is a privilege, right?” he said. “So it’s nice to be in this spot.” He acknowledged that the team was enjoying the spotlight, even as expectations mounted. Burns, before heading for the exit, ribbed Necas about his loose pants and blood flow, to which Necas shot back: “Once you get to 40, you get nervous.” The exchange underscored a deeper truth: Necas, 27, is finding his footing in the playoffs. After a quiet first round, he played a pivotal role in Colorado’s power-play breakthrough. During Game 1 against the Kings, Nathan MacKinnon’s one-timer — the Avalanche’s first power-play goal in 10 postseason attempts — was set up by Necas crashing the crease, occupying a Los Angeles defender and opening a shooting lane for the captain.

Game 1 fireworks

Colorado defeated the Wild 9-6 in Game 1 on May 3, a high-scoring affair that showcased the Avalanche’s offensive depth. The team tallied nine goals, with contributions from multiple lines. Coach Jared Bednar, speaking after the game, praised the team’s resilience. The victory gave Colorado a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Necas did not record a point in Game 1, but his presence on the ice helped create space for his linemates. “I feel like, as the series went on, we had a lot of chances,” Necas said, reflecting on the Kings series. “Obviously, we didn’t score as much as maybe we wanted to, but just like Bednar says, defense first. That’s what we did. The chances were there, and we’re going to keep scoring.”

Voices from the room

Ahead of Game 2, multiple Avalanche players and coaches addressed the media. Bednar, along with Logan O’Connor, Nazem Kadri, Sam Malinski, Devon Toews, Cale Makar, and goaltender Scott Wedgewood, all spoke. The team’s depth was a recurring theme: even when stars like Necas are held off the scoresheet, others step up. Kadri, who scored in Game 1, emphasized the need for discipline against a Minnesota team that can strike quickly. The Wild, led by Kirill Kaprizov, traded goals with the Avalanche six seconds apart in Game 2 of their first-round series — a reminder of the volatility of playoff hockey.

The road ahead

Game 2 presents a test for Colorado: can they replicate the offensive explosion, or will Minnesota adjust? The Wild, known for their scrappy play, will look to even the series. Necas, for his part, is focused on process over results. “We’re going to keep scoring,” he said, a quiet confidence in his voice. The Avalanche’s power play, once a liability, now shows signs of life. If Necas can continue to create chances — even without registering points — Colorado’s deep roster can carry the load. As Burns might say, the pressure is a privilege, and Necas is learning to wear it well.

The bottom line

• Martin Necas has two points in the playoffs but remains confident, crediting team depth.
• Colorado’s power play ended a 0-for-10 drought with MacKinnon’s goal, aided by Necas’s net-front presence.
• The Avalanche won Game 1 against the Wild 9-6, showcasing offensive firepower.
• Brent Burns’ locker-room banter highlights the team’s relaxed yet focused culture.
• Game 2 will test Colorado’s ability to maintain momentum against a resilient Minnesota team.
• Necas’s role as a crease-crasher could be key to unlocking further scoring opportunities.