Colorado Avalanche 2–6 Nashville Predators: match recap

Match recap

Ryan O'Reilly and Steven Stamkos combined for four goals and seven points as the Nashville Predators dominated the Colorado Avalanche 6-2. The Predators' star power overwhelmed an Avalanche side that mustered only a pair of tallies.

Nashville asserted control early, with O'Reilly and Stamkos each finding the net in the first period to build a 2-0 lead. The Avalanche responded with goals from Devon Toews and Artturi Lehkonen, but the Predators answered with a four-goal third period to blow the game open. O'Reilly completed a four-point night (2G, 2A), while Stamkos added three points (2G, 1A) as Nashville's power play and depth overwhelmed Colorado's defensive zone coverage. The Avalanche, missing key forwards due to injury per ESPN, had no answer for Nashville's transition game in the final frame.

Key factors

• Nashville’s top line of O'Reilly and Stamkos drove the offense, combining for 7 points and 4 goals, per the box score.
• Colorado’s depth was thinned by the absence of Nicolas Roy and Zachary L'Heureux on the injury report, leaving the Avs unable to match Nashville's firepower.
• The Predators' shot volume was even but their scoring efficiency was elite, converting 6 of their opportunities while Colorado managed only 2 goals.

The Analyst's take

O'Reilly and Stamkos look like a formidable one-two punch, and with the Avs' injury issues, Nashville is well placed on the season numbers as a team that can dominate weaker defensive opponents. The statistical read suggests the Predators' depth will continue to be a problem for teams missing key personnel.