NHL Projected Lineups – Game Day May 6, 2026
Date: May 5, 2026
By IceHockeyMan Newsroom
Final update: All projected lineups for today have been added.
Matchup: Minnesota Wild vs Colorado Avalanche
Faceoff: 02:00 CET
Minnesota Wild – Projected lineup
Forwards
Kirill Kaprizov – Ryan Hartman – Mats Zuccarello
Marcus Johansson – Marco Rossi – Matt Boldy
Vladimir Tarasenko – Danila Yurov – Yakov Trenin
Depth rotation – checking line structure
Defense
Quinn Hughes – Brock Faber
Jake Middleton – Jared Spurgeon
Depth rotation
Goalies
Filip Gustavsson – Confirmed
Jesper Wallstedt
Power Play 1
Matt Boldy – Kirill Kaprizov – Mats Zuccarello
Quinn Hughes – Brock Faber
Power Play 2
Ryan Hartman – Marcus Johansson – Vladimir Tarasenko
Jake Middleton – Jared Spurgeon
Injured: Jonas Brodin (OUT), Joel Eriksson Ek (OUT), Charlie Stramel (OUT)
IHM Lineup Note:
Minnesota goes with Gustavsson confirmed, which is critical in a matchup where defensive structure and rebound control matter against Colorado’s speed. The Wild still have high-end offensive creativity through Kaprizov, Boldy, Zuccarello and Tarasenko, but the absence of Eriksson Ek removes an important two-way center element that usually stabilizes both matchup play and defensive coverage.
IHM Tactical Signals:
Forecheck Signal: Minnesota should apply pressure in controlled waves, not open-chase sequences against Colorado speed.
Transition Signal: Kaprizov and Boldy remain the primary play drivers and entry creators.
Blue Line Signal: Hughes and Faber must handle puck movement cleanly under pressure.
Goalie Stability Signal: Gustavsson confirmed gives Minnesota a defined and reliable crease plan.
X-Factor Signal: Without Eriksson Ek, Minnesota must protect the middle of the ice with tighter defensive layers.
Colorado Avalanche – Projected lineup
Forwards
Artturi Lehkonen – Nathan MacKinnon – Martin Necas
Gabriel Landeskog – Brock Nelson – Valeri Nichushkin
Nazem Kadri – depth rotation – Nicolas Roy structure
Energy line with speed support
Defense
Devon Toews – Cale Makar
Sam Malinski – depth rotation
Additional defensive support units
Goalies
Scott Wedgewood – Expected
Mackenzie Blackwood
Power Play 1
Nathan MacKinnon – Artturi Lehkonen – Martin Necas
Devon Toews – Nazem Kadri
Power Play 2
Brock Nelson – Gabriel Landeskog – Valeri Nichushkin
Cale Makar – Sam Malinski
Injured: Josh Manson (DTD), Joel Kiviranta (OUT)
IHM Lineup Note:
Colorado continues to operate with one of the highest ceilings in the playoffs. MacKinnon, Makar, Toews, Landeskog, Nichushkin and Nelson give the Avalanche a combination of speed, puck control and offensive layering that can overwhelm teams if the pace opens up. Wedgewood expected provides stability, even if the true edge still comes from Colorado’s ability to dictate tempo.
IHM Tactical Signals:
Forecheck Signal: Colorado thrives on quick pressure and second-touch puck recovery.
Transition Signal: MacKinnon and Makar remain the most dangerous pace drivers in the matchup.
Blue Line Signal: Makar and Toews give Colorado a strong puck-moving advantage.
Goalie Stability Signal: Wedgewood expected keeps the crease predictable and structured.
X-Factor Signal: Colorado wants to force Minnesota into a faster game where defensive gaps become exposed.
IHM Match Pressure Index:
Offensive Pressure: Avalanche edge
Transition Edge: Avalanche clear edge
Defensive Stability: Slight Avalanche edge
Goaltending Edge: Even
Game Control Projection: Colorado projects to control the pace and create more high-danger situations through speed and puck movement, while Minnesota’s best path is a structured, disciplined game with strong goaltending and controlled counterattacks.
Q&A: Projected Lineups and Starting Goalies
What are NHL projected lineups?
Projected lineups show expected forward lines, defense pairs, goalies and special teams before official confirmation.
How accurate are projected lineups?
They are usually close but can change due to late scratches, injuries or coaching decisions.
Why are starting goalies important?
The starting goalie directly affects game flow, confidence and defensive structure.
What does confirmed goalie mean?
It means the team or reliable source has officially named the starting goalie.
What does expected goalie mean?
It means the goalie is projected to start but not officially confirmed yet.
Why are power play units included?
They reveal offensive hierarchy and which players are trusted in key scoring situations.
How do injuries affect lineups?
Missing key players can change matchups, defensive structure and scoring depth.
Why are playoff lineups more important?
Because matchups, structure and goalie performance have greater impact in playoff games.
What should fans analyze first?
Center depth, top defense pairs, goalie status and overall team structure.
Can lineups reveal strategy?
Yes. They show whether a team prioritizes speed, defense, physical play or puck control.
When are final lineups confirmed?
Usually during warmups or shortly before puck drop.
Why does IHM add tactical analysis?
Because understanding how a lineup functions is more important than just listing player names.