Steven Stamkos absolutely torched the Colorado Avalanche last night, scoring a power-play goal 2:18 into overtime to snatch a 3-2 victory for the Nashville Predators. This wasn’t just any game-winner either; it was a slice of NHL history, and the Avs were powerless to stop it.
Stamkos Ties an All-Time Great as Predators Take the W
Talk about stepping up in the clutch! Stamkos didn’t just score the OT winner on the power play, he *drew the penalty* that led to it. What a play. That goal marked his 247th on the power play, pulling him even with none other than Luc Robitaille for the fifth-most in NHL history. You hear that? Fifth-most *ever*. Justus Annunen was huge between the pipes for Nashville, making a stellar 30 saves to keep the Predators in it. Colorado’s Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 22 of 25 shots, even getting a little help from Nazem Kadri who knocked away a puck headed for the net. But in the end, it was Stamkos’s moment.
Former Avs Sting, Pinchuk Gets His First
The Predators’ victory wasn’t just about Stamkos. Ross Colton, playing against his former team, buried a goal that had to feel good. And speaking of feeling good, 24-year-old Vitali Pinchuk notched his *first career goal* with a slick backhanded shot that sailed right over Blackwood’s shoulder in the opening period. Dude almost had one earlier too, but it clanged off the post. Before Colton’s fourth goal of the season, a tribute video even aired on the big screen, honoring both him and Jack Drury, who were traded from Colorado to Nashville back in June. On the Avalanche side, Jaden Schwartz and Parker Kelly both lit the lamp, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win at home.
The power play was a bit of a grind for both squads, with Nashville converting just one of their five opportunities and Colorado going 0 for 3. Predators even weathered a holding penalty on Stamkos with 3:07 left in regulation, showing some serious grit. They stacked up 25 blocked shots, too, sacrificing bodies to keep Colorado off the board. Nashville now moves to 2-0 against the Avalanche this season, which is a fantastic early trend for the Predators. The Avalanche, usually rock solid at home with a 6-1-2 record, just couldn’t seal the deal this time around.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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