The Minnesota Wild appeared headed for a series-extending win after building an early 3-0 lead against the Colorado Avalanche in Game 5. Instead, Colorado stormed back with four unanswered goals, capped by an overtime winner that shifted attention far beyond the Western Conference semifinal itself.
The finish reignited criticism around one of Edmonton’s most eyebrow-raising moves from the 2025-26 season and placed Oilers general manager Stan Bowman back under the spotlight.
As Colorado celebrated its return to the Western Conference Final, the conversation online turned toward the player who delivered the deciding goal and the organization that let him go.
Brett Kulak’s Overtime Heroics Put Oilers GM Stan Bowman Back Under Pressure
The player in question is former Oilers defenseman Brett Kulak, who completed Colorado’s comeback by scoring the overtime winner off a Martin Necas setup. Before scoring, Kulak broke up a dangerous pass attempt from Minnesota star Kirill Kaprizov, making the sequence even more painful for Oilers fans already frustrated by Edmonton’s season-ending collapse.
The reactions across the NHL community came almost immediately after the Avalanche secured the series.
ESPN senior NHL writer Greg Wyshynski posted on X, “Kulak broke up the Kaprizov pass then went down to score the series-clinching goal. Hope Tristan Jarry was worth it.” His reaction directly referenced the controversial trade that sent Kulak, Stuart Skinner, and a second-round pick to Pittsburgh in exchange for Jarry.
Former NHL player and analyst Paul Bissonnette also criticized the move, writing on X, “Oilers gave Kulak away. Dumb.” The blunt reaction reflected increasing criticism that Edmonton sacrificed stability on the blue line for a goaltending gamble that never worked out.
Meanwhile, veteran Oilers reporter Jim Matheson focused on the larger impact of the moment, posting, “Another dagger on Oilers as Brett Kulak gets series winner for Colorado over Minnesota.” NHL writer Trevor Neufeld added a shorter but telling reaction with, “Oh no.”
The criticism intensified because Jarry struggled badly after arriving in Edmonton. The veteran goalie posted an .858 save percentage in 19 regular-season appearances and eventually lost the playoff crease to Connor Ingram. At the same time, Kulak continued proving his value as a dependable two-way defenseman during Colorado’s playoff run.
Bowman previously defended the transaction as a necessary hockey trade designed to improve Edmonton’s goaltending and create roster flexibility. He also acknowledged Kulak’s importance to the organization, saying, “Brett was a great Oiler, and he was excellent in the playoffs last year.”
Still, Wednesday’s result only added more pressure on Bowman and the Oilers’ front office.
While Colorado moved on to the Western Conference Final with Kulak playing a major role (and more 5v5 minutes than Cale Makar), the Oilers were left revisiting a deal that failed to solve their biggest problem and weakened their blueline in the process.
