- Steven Stamkos scored 2:18 into overtime on the power play to beat the Avalanche 3-2
- It was his 247th career power-play goal, passing Phil Esposito and tying Luc Robitaille for fifth all-time
- Read below for how the winner happened and what it means for Nashville
Steven Stamkos just moved past Phil Esposito on the NHL’s all-time power-play goals list, and he did it in overtime.
The Predators forward scored at 2:18 of the extra frame Thursday to give Nashville a 3-2 win over the Avalanche at Ball Arena. Roman Josi found him at the top of the left circle, and Stamkos one-timed it through a screen and short side.
Watch Stamkos fire the winner:
It was career power-play goal No. 247. That passes Esposito (246) and ties Luc Robitaille for fifth on the all-time list. Stamkos was two away from tying Esposito back in early October, so he has climbed the board quickly this season.
The power play came courtesy of Devon Toews. Stamkos hit the left post at 1:42 of overtime, and Toews hooked him 20 seconds later.
It was a back-and-forth game to that point. Ross Colton opened the scoring at 4:01 of the first period, Jaden Schwartz tied it for Colorado, and Vitali Pinchuk then scored his first NHL goal at 14:34 to make it 2-1.
Parker Kelly evened it 2-2 early in the second on a 2-on-1 rush, and that is where it stayed through the third. Justus Annunen made 30 saves for the Predators, and Ryan O’Reilly added two assists. Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 22 for Colorado.
The Predators improved to 7-4-5 and have won three straight and four of their last six. The Avalanche fell to 9-6-2 and have dropped two in a row.
Stamkos has been in the headlines lately for what he said about his old Lightning teammate Nikita Kucherov, but this one was all about the ice. One more power-play goal and he sits alone in fifth.
