Above: From left, Wild players Clayton Stoner, Kyle Brodziak, Nate Prosser and Matt Cooke celebrated a goal by Brodziak in the second period as Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov looked away. Varlamov still did enough to earn his 11th career playoff victory.

LEFT: Wild goalie John Curry started his Thursday at Pepsi Center with a target a bit larger than a hockey puck, as he and teammates warmed up with a ball. The 30-year-old Curry backed up Wild starter Ilya Bryzgalov.

below: Fans cheered during the pregame festivities at the Pepsi Center. The two-time Stanley Cup champion Avalanche made its first postseason appearance since 2010, when it lost to San Jose in the first round.