Predators beat Avalanche in overtime on Stamkos power-play goal
Steven Stamkos scored 2:18 into overtime to beat Mackenzie Blackwood and give Nashville a 3-2 win at Ball Arena, its second over Colorado this season.
PredatorsThe Nashville Predators beat the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 in overtime Thursday night at Ball Arena. Steven Stamkos, assisted by Roman Josi and Ryan O'Reilly, scored the winner on the power play, a one-timer from the left circle that beat Mackenzie Blackwood 2:18 into the extra period. Read more: Predators beat Avalanche in overtime on Stamkos goal
Ross Colton opened the scoring 4:01 into the first period on a backhander assisted by Ryan O'Reilly. He also scored against his former team. Jaden Schwartz then tied it for Colorado at 9:11.
Vitali Pinchuk answered before the period ended, lifting a backhand over Blackwood's shoulder for his first career NHL goal. Parker Kelly tied it again 5:08 into the second period, and it stayed 2-2 until Stamkos ended it.
Justus Annunen made 30 saves on 32 shots for Nashville. Blackwood stopped 22 of 25 for the Avalanche. Still, both goalies did enough to get the game to overtime.
Related: Predators top Hurricanes to end Kochetkov's unbeaten start
Blocked shots won the night
Colorado out-shot Nashville 32-25, but the Predators blocked 25 shots with their own sticks and bodies, nearly closing the gap. Special teams decided the rest of it.
Nashville finished 1 for 5 on the power play and Colorado went 0 for 3. The Avalanche's last real chance died on a Predators penalty kill with 3:07 left in regulation that Nashville coach Andrew Brunette called "huge."
Colorado traded Colton and Jack Drury to Nashville in June, and a tribute video for them played on the Ball Arena scoreboard. The game also marked a return for Predators president and general manager Chris MacFarland, back in Denver after 11 seasons in Colorado's front office.
Related: Predators host Hurricanes at Bridgestone Arena
The game fell during Nashville's Fathers' Trip, with players' dads traveling with the team.
Nashville has won three straight games and has beaten Colorado twice this season. The win pulled the Predators within a point of the Avalanche in the standings. They host the St. Louis Blues on Saturday at Bridgestone Arena. The team debuts new alternate jerseys there for the first of ten times this season.
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