NHL

Nashville Predators at Colorado Avalanche

· National Hockey League

Samuel Girard steals the puck in overtime and scores on a breakaway as Avalanche beat Predators 3-2

Samuel Girard nets the breakaway OT winner for Avalanche

Girard was mobbed by teammates on the ice after beating Juuse Saros with a shot into the corner of the net.

Fellow Colorado defenseman Devon Toews also got his first goal of the season, and Mikko Rantanen also scored.

Both goaltenders were stellar down the stretch and into overtime. Alexandar Georgiev and Saros each made 29 saves.

Luke Evangelista and Colton Sissons scored for the Predators, who opened a five-game trip.

Takeaways Predators: There's something about Colorado that brings out the best in Sissons. The forward has scored his only two goals this season against Colorado.

Avalanche: Nathan MacKinnon averted a potentially scary situation when he ran into Filip Forsberg at center ice in the second period, his leg flying into the air. MacKinnon was able to get back up and continue on the play.

Key moment The visor/face of Nashville's Michael McCarron appeared to smash into the boards on a hit from Rantanen midway through the third period. McCarron stayed on the ice as the Avalanche headed the other way, but the play was stopped to check on him.

The officials reviewed the hit as Rantanen was sent to the penalty box for boarding. Nashville didn’t score on the ensuing power play. Both teams finished 0 for 2 on the power play.

Key stat MacKinnon had an assist on Rantanen’s goal to give him at least a point in 15 of 16 games this season. Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar was held without a point for just the second time this season.

Up next The Avalanche host the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday, while the Predators continue their trip Thursday in Edmonton.

Regular Season Series

Series tied 1-1

Scoring Summary

Goal 1st Period 1:45 Luke Evangelista Goal (2) Wrist Shot, assists: Juuso Parssinen (3), Marc Del Gaizo (3)
Goal 2nd Period 4:32 Devon Toews Goal (1) Slap Shot, assists: Samuel Girard (8), T.J. Tynan (1)
Goal 2nd Period 11:37 Mikko Rantanen Goal (9) Slap Shot, assists: Joel Kiviranta (1), Nathan MacKinnon (23)
Goal 3rd Period 0:59 Colton Sissons Goal (2) Wrist Shot, assists: Roman Josi (10)
Goal 4th Period 2:47 Samuel Girard Goal (1) Wrist Shot, assists: none

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nhl/500/nsh.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originNSH https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nhl/500/col.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originCOL
21 Blocked Shots 21
23 Hits 18
2 Takeaways 5
30 Shots 32
0 Power Play Goals 0
2 Power Play Opportunities 2
0.0 Power Play Percentage 0.0
0 Short Handed Goals 0
0 Shootout Goals 0
31 Faceoffs Won 25
55.4 Faceoff Win Percent 44.6
19 Giveaways 16
2 Total Penalties 2
4 Penalty Minutes 4

Game Information

Ball Arena

Location: Denver, CO
Attendance: 18,016 | Capacity:

2024-25 Central Division Standings

TEAM W L PTS OTL
Winnipeg 17 4 34 0
Minnesota 13 3 30 4
Dallas 13 6 26 0
Colorado 12 9 24 0
Utah 8 9 19 3
St. Louis 9 12 19 1
Nashville 7 11 17 3
Chicago 7 12 16 2
Full Standings