The Stanley Cup Playoffs can see the emergence of some very unlikely heroes. However, none may have been more unlikely than Colorado Avalanche defenseman Brett Kulak. The Avalanche defender eliminated the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday night with an overtime goal that represents just his second goal of the 2025-26 NHL league year.

The veteran rearguard has had a very chaotic year. He began the season with the Edmonton Oilers, but was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins midseason. At the NHL Trade Deadline, the Penguins sent him to the Avalanche. Prior to Game 5, he hadn't scored since January 19th, while with the Penguins.

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Kulak has been around the block in this league, and he certainly recognizes the rarity of this moment. “I'm not the guy everyone's looking down the bench like, ‘alright, get out there and go win it for us,'” he admitted on Wednesday night, via Colorado Hockey Now writer Aarif Deen.

For a time, it appeared as if the Wild would emerge from Game 5 with the win. Nick Foligno scored twice in the first period to help Minnesota take a 3-0 lead into the break. Entering the third period, Colorado only managed one goal in response. As time ticked down, though, Colorado found its game.

Jack Drury deflected home a Devon Toews shot to make it a 3-2 contest. Two minutes later, Nathan MacKinnon scored to tie the game 3-3. The Wild had their chances in overtime, but it was Kulak who claimed glory in the extra frame.

The Avalanche are moving on to the Western Conference Finals. They will face either the Vegas Golden Knights or Anaheim Ducks. Vegas owns a 3-2 lead in that series.