The Predators stunned the top team in hockey tonight. Nashville beat Colorado 4 to 3 in a shootout after a wild finish. Cale Makar tied it with eight seconds left. Juuse Saros stopped 39 shots and then shut the door when it mattered most. Drama peaked when Avalanche goalie Scott Wedgewood left just before the final attempt after contact with Filip Forsberg. Ryan O’Reilly buried the deciding shootout goal and Bridgestone Arena shook.
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How Nashville Stole It Late
This was a test of nerve and detail. Nashville leaned on its two-way spine and kept pushing. Brady Skjei put the Predators up late in the third. That strike looked like the winner until Makar answered with a laser in the final seconds. The Avalanche never die easy. They entered the night at 21, 2, and 6, and it showed in that surge.
Colorado’s attack had bite all game. Makar scored, and Brock Nelson and Artturi Lehkonen found the net. Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas each handed out two primary feeds. Nashville answered with structure, short shifts, and hard clears. In overtime, Saros shrugged off clean looks and punched out rebounds. The stage was set for a shootout, and experience won out.
The Goaltending Story
Saros was the difference. He read through screens, tracked tips, and stayed patient on dekes. Colorado threw 42 shots toward him, and he solved 39 of them. That control settled the Predators bench. It also bought time for their veterans to make plays in the skills contest.
Colorado’s night in net turned tense. Wedgewood battled to the end, then left moments before the last shootout round after contact with Forsberg. The Avalanche were forced to use a backup for the decisive shot. O’Reilly stepped up, sold patience, and finished. The sequence will follow Colorado home. The club now faces a clear question. Who starts Saturday, and is Wedgewood available?
Juuse Saros set the tone with 39 saves, then delivered in the shootout. That is a game stealer in every sense.
Colorado will evaluate Scott Wedgewood after his late exit. His status affects roster moves and matchups in Denver.
What It Means For The Rematch
Both teams leave with homework. Nashville earned belief. The Predators blocked lanes, owned the slot, and trusted Saros. Colorado still grabbed a point and showed its star power late. The rematch will turn on net-front control and bench management.
Here are the adjustments that matter most on Saturday:
- Avalanche net protection, cut screens and second chances around the blue paint
- Predators discipline, avoid stick fouls that feed MacKinnon’s power play rush
- Faceoff detail, O’Reilly versus MacKinnon will drive zone time
- Goalie clarity for Colorado, set a plan early and keep it steady
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Culture And Edge
This rivalry has a sharp edge. Smashville brought noise and swagger. The Predators fed off it, then skated off with style. O’Reilly’s calm is a compass for their room. Forsberg battled in the hard areas and paid a price. On the other side, MacKinnon still sets the league pace with drive and detail. Makar is ice cold in the clutch. That late goal was proof again.
Colorado’s road trip ends at 2, 1, and 1. It is not the sweep the Avalanche wanted, but the standard holds. They will skate angry in Denver. Nashville knows it. The Predators want to stack wins and build a run. Tonight gives them the spark.
If you are heading to Ball Arena, get in early. Warmups will hint at Colorado’s plan in net.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who won Avalanche vs Predators tonight?
A: Nashville won 4 to 3 in a shootout. Ryan O’Reilly scored the deciding attempt.
Q: What happened to the Avalanche goalie late?
A: Scott Wedgewood left before the final shootout shot after contact with Filip Forsberg. Colorado used a backup for the last attempt.
Q: How did Juuse Saros play?
A: Saros made 39 saves and controlled rebounds. He then shut the door in the shootout.
Q: When is the rematch?
A: Saturday in Denver. It is the second meeting this week.
Q: Who stood out for Colorado?
A: Cale Makar tied the game with eight seconds left. Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas had two assists each. Brock Nelson and Artturi Lehkonen scored.
In the end, the story is steel in the crease and poise under pressure. Nashville found both and walked out with two points. Colorado still looks like the league’s pace car, but the Avalanche have decisions to make in goal. The rematch is coming fast, and it should crackle.
