Boy, are the Avalanche glad Cale Makar returned.

Colorado’s top defenseman missed the majority of the first period with a mystery injury after taking a hit from Wild forward Marcus Foligno early. It’s a good thing he came back, because Makar’s two third-period goals were essential in helping the Avalanche win Game 1 9-6.

To say this first game was the opposite of what the Avalanche experienced in the first round would be an understatement. The Avalanche came out flying with the Wild giving them a ton of room through the neutral zone, and the home team took advantage. Sam Malinski, Jack Drury and Artturi Lehkonen scored in a 2:01 span in the first period, giving the Avalanche a 3-0 lead.

A lead that evaporated relatively quickly.

Minnesota scored two goals late in the first, capitalizing on Colorado mistakes in the defensive zone.…