Predators Beat Avalanche 3-2 in Overtime as Stamkos Scores Power Play Winner in Denver

Steven Stamkos scored the overtime winner on the power play with 2:42 left in the extra period, and the Nashville Predators beat the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday night. Nashville led 1-0 and 2-1 in the first period, Colorado tied the game in the second, and neither team scored in the third before Stamkos settled it.

Stamkos finishes it in overtime

About two minutes into overtime, Stamkos drew a hooking penalty on Colorado defenseman Devon Toews. On the power play that followed, he scored on a one-timer from the left circle, listed in the play by play as a slap shot, with assists from Roman Josi and Ryan O'Reilly. The penalty was called with 2:58 left in overtime and the goal came 16 seconds later, at 2:42 left. The goal was Nashville's only power play score in five chances on the night. Colorado went 0 for 3. The NHL's official highlights description for the game says the winner moved Stamkos into a tie for fifth on the NHL all time power play goals list.

Nashville leads twice in the first period

Ross Colton scored first for Nashville in the first period, tucking in a rebound after pressure from the fourth line, with Colton and Adam Edstrom involved in the play. Jaden Schwartz tied the game 1-1 about five minutes later for Colorado, scoring alone in front after Martin Necas found him following a Nick Perbix turnover behind the Nashville net.

Vitali Pinchuk put Nashville back ahead late in the first period. The 24 year old rookie from Belarus scored his first career NHL goal, backhanding the puck over Mackenzie Blackwood with a defenseman on his back, and Nashville took a 2-1 lead into the first intermission.

Kelly ties it, and the goalies hold the third

Parker Kelly tied the game 2-2 for Colorado in the second period, beating Justus Annunen on a 2-on-1 coming out of the Colorado zone. Colorado led 20-15 in shots after two periods. Both teams played a careful, scoreless third period, and the game went to overtime tied 2-2.

Annunen made 30 saves on 32 shots in 62 minutes and 18 seconds and took the win for Nashville. Blackwood made 22 saves on 25 shots for Colorado and took the overtime loss. Final shots were 32 for Colorado and 25 for Nashville.

The win moved Nashville to 7-4-5 with 19 points. Colorado fell to 9-6-2 and kept one point for the overtime loss, reaching 20 points. Nashville next hosts the St. Louis Blues on November 7 at 1 p.m. CT.