You wouldn’t want to get on Nathan MacKinnon’s bad side. The Minnesota Wild found out on Tuesday night what that’s like.

The Avalanche have been getting production from MacKinnon, but in Game 2, he looked like the best player in the world. MacKinnon picked up a goal, two assists, and two gigantic hits that blew the roof off Ball Arena as he helped the Avalanche beat the Wild by a score of 5-2.

Sure, the points are massive and what this team needs from MacKinnon, but the physicality is what can set him apart from other superstars in the league. In the third period, with the Avalanche looking to protect a league and Quinn Hughes looking to create in the offensive zone, he made a mistake. He spun into MacKinnon.

Bad idea.

MacKinnon tossed Hughes to the ice with relative ease, cleared the puck, and ended whatever the Wild were trying to create. That wasn’t the end of MacKinnon’s reign of terror. With the goalie pulled, the Wild maintained possession in Colorado’s end for a lengthy period. The puck came to Matt Boldy along the right wall and MacKinnon poked it away from him.

Then he went for jugular.

MacKinnon smashed Boldy into the boards, with the Ball Arena crowd erupting as the Wild star laid on the ice for a few seconds. The Wild took exception to the hit, but there was nothing they could do about it. MacKinnon had punished them on the scoreboard and punished them on the ice. In the process, the Avalanche took a commanding 2-0 lead in the series.

“I think everyone’s being more physical,” MacKinnon said after the game. “The whole team has ramped that up, so just trying to help out.”

Nic Roy, who has only been in town for a few months but is well aware of the damage MacKinnon can do to opposing teams, was in awe of what he had seen like many of his teammates.

“He can do it all, right?” Roy said. “Obviously, best skater, playmaker, good shot, and obviously can throw his body around. It’s motivation, and it’s nice to have him on our side, for sure.”

Jared Bednar has seen nights like this from his superstar forward many times, particularly on the offensive end. It’s the all-around play that MacKinnon’s coach loves to see.

“He was unbelievable tonight on both sides of the puck,” Bednar said. “The physicality, the defending details, the hunger to check pucks back in all three zones, and the speed and pace that he played with early in the game of it was like he was shot out of a cannon … and it’s not about production. You know he’s gonna produce, but he’s just doing whatever it takes for our team to win, because that’s what he wants the most.

“It’s not about scoring goals, and he’s gonna hold himself to a standard that he wants to help produce every night, because it’s the best way for our team to win. He’s committed in all the other areas right now. And that game was off the charts, in my opinion.”

Two of MacKinnon’s three points came on the power play, a power play that has looked really good against the Wild. Since the addition of Nazem Kadri, it’s been significantly improved.

MacKinnon has scored two nearly identical power-play goals in the last two weeks, both off passes from Kadri. His impact on the unit can’t be ignored.

“Yeah, he’s been great,” MacKinnon said. “I think for us, the process is just trying to stay good. It’s been a long year on the power play, but I feel like what we’re doing is sustainable. I feel like we’re generating a lot of chances, and they’re not just some lucky goals.

“Naz has really helped us out, obviously, when he first came and when he got hurt, trying to juggle it around again. But a super smart player. I think the five of us are really getting on the same page and trying to have great communication. I think it’s making us a little more comfortable.”

Avalanche 5, Wild 2

What happened: The Avalanche won the special teams battle and the game.

What went right: Colorado is not lamenting the loss of another first-round pick because Nicolas Roy has made quite the impact for them. His goal early in the second period ended up being the game-winner and his three goals in six games are tied for the second most on the team.

What went wrong: If you’re going to leave a guy all alone for a breakaway, it’s best that it’s not Kirill Kaprizov. Six seconds after Martin Necas got the scoring started, Cale Makar lost Kaprizov and the Wild star quickly tied the game up. The Avalanche improved defensively as the game went on but they have had some breakdowns in this series.

Avalanche goal scorers: Necas (1), Landeskog (3), Roy (3), MacKinnon (4), Nichushkin (1)

Wild goal scorers: Kaprizov (3), Johansson (3)

Between the pipes: Scott Wedgewood bounced back in a big way, stopping 29 shots.

What’s next: The series shifts to Minnesota, but not for a few days. Game 3 is on Saturday at 7 p.m.