Avalanche vs Predators: Epic NHL Showdown Delivers Drama – Final Score, Highlights, and What It Means for the Central Division
The Colorado Avalanche and Nashville Predators delivered a nail-biting 4-3 overtime thriller on December 9, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena, with Nathan MacKinnon sealing the 4-3 victory for Colorado just 1:12 into extra time. This win boosts the Avs to 22-2-6, extending their Central Division lead, while Nashville falls to 10-15-4 despite a gritty comeback. As an old hockey scribe who's covered more faceoffs than I can count, this one had that classic rivalry pulse – pure, unfiltered NHL magic that keeps you yelling at the TV.
Game Recap: From Puck Drop to Overtime Heroics
It started with the intensity you'd expect from division foes. Brock Nelson sniped the opener for Colorado at 17:23 of the first, assisted by Brent Burns and Josh Manson, silencing the Preds' crowd early. Nashville fired back in the second when Jonathan Marchessault buried a power-play beauty off Filip Forsberg and Ryan O'Reilly at 5:42, knotting it at 1-1. Roman Schaefer then tipped home a 2-1 lead for the hosts at 12:15, but Artturi Lehkonen ripped the equalizer at 18:45 with helpers from Martin Necas and MacKinnon, forcing OT after a wild period.
Overtime unfolded like a playoff preview: Nashville struck first through O'Reilly at 2:34, but MacKinnon's wizardry – deking past two defenders – tied it at 3-3 at 4:56. The dagger came quick: MacKinnon again, roofing a backhand off a Cale Makar feed at 5:12, sending Avs fans into delirium. Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 28 of 31 shots in net, while Juuse Saros turned aside 30 of 34 for Nashville in defeat. That final shift? Heart-stopping stuff, reminding me of those old Smythe Division brawls.
Shots favored Colorado 34-31, with the Avs dominating faceoffs 58% and going 1-for-3 on the power play. Nashville's penalty kill held firm at 2-for-3, but turnovers in OT proved costly. Attendance hit 17,159, roaring through every whistle on TNT's national stage.
Head-to-Head Legacy: A Balanced Battle with High Stakes
These teams have split the last 10 meetings 5-5, but Colorado now leads the 2025-26 series 2-0 after the November 22 shutout. All-time, it's razor-close: Avs average 3.8 goals per game in the matchup, Preds counter with 3.2, often decided by special teams wizardry. Recent thrillers include Nashville's 2023 third-period rally and Colorado's defensive masterclass last month.
Four games dot the schedule: Nov 22 (COL 3-0), Dec 9 (COL 4-3 OT), Dec 13 in Denver, Jan 16 back at Ball Arena. Home-road splits tilt Nashville's way at Bridgestone historically, but Avs' road dominance (just two reg losses league-wide) flips the script. As someone who's seen decades of these tilts, the physicality – 45 hits combined here – screams playoff intensity.
| Series Game | Date | Location | Score | Game-Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Nov 22 | NSH | COL 3-0 | Blackwood shutout |
| Game 2 | Dec 9 | NSH | COL 4-3 OT | MacKinnon (5:12 OT) |
| Game 3 | Dec 13 | COL | TBD | - |
| Game 4 | Jan 16 | COL | TBD | - |
Avalanche Powerhouse: Stats Fueling the Dynasty Push
Atop the NHL with 50 points (22-2-6), Colorado leads in goals (119), fewest against (66, 2.14 GA/GP), and power play efficiency. MacKinnon erupted with 2G-1A in this one, pushing his season haul to league-leading territory alongside 15 points in 10 games. Cale Makar dazzled with the OT primary assist, his blue-line vision unmatched.
Scott Wedgewood's return from back injury stabilized the bench behind Blackwood, while Valeri Nichushkin and Ross Colton added secondary scoring punch. Depth shines: 20 straight games with points, overtime clinic (3-6 now). Injuries like Logan O’Connor’s hip linger, but the machine rolls on.
Predators' Grit: Rally Falls Short in Heartbreaker
Nashville's 10-15-4 (24 points) marks the league's cellar, but sparks fly: 4-2-1 in last seven before this L. O'Reilly's OT goal (his 22nd point) embodied leadership, Forsberg added an assist to his 11 goals. Marchessault and Schaefer's tallies showed offensive pop amid rebuild woes.
Juuse Saros battled valiantly (30 saves), Roman Josi nears full return from injury. Martin Necas' illness spared them a top-line Avs boost, but Gavin Brindley filled in admirably. Third-period surges remain their hallmark – outshot foes 14-6 historically here.
| Top Preds Performers | Stat | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Ryan O'Reilly | Points | 22 |
| Filip Forsberg | Goals | 11 |
| Luke Evangelista | Assists | 15 |
| Jonathan Marchessault | PP Goals | Key tally |
Injury Report and Lineup Tweaks Post-Game
Avalanche: O’Connor out week-to-week (hip), Wedgewood solid in backup role, Necas shakes off illness doubts. Lines hummed: Lehkonen-MacKinnon-Necas; Nelson-Colton-Nichushkin; steady D with Manson-Burns.
Predators: Josi practicing (lower-body), depth tested but resilient. O'Reilly-Forsberg-Marquessault trio dangerous, Saros faces quick turnaround. No new ailments from the fray, but fatigue looms in tight schedule.
Stakes Sky-High: Central Division Shakeup
Avs widen gap over Dallas (46 pts), Jets (44), eyeing Presidents' Trophy repeat. Nashville clings to wild-card hopes (projected 92 points?), but 8th in Central demands urgency. This series winner-takes-momentum into playoffs – Colorado's road form terrifies.
Fan frenzy online exploded post-OT: #AvsOTW, MacKinnon memes everywhere. TNT ratings soared, bridging casuals to diehards. Rematch Dec 13 at Ball Arena? Circle it – home ice flips dynamics.
Star Turns: Players Who Owned the Night
Nathan MacKinnon: Two OT goals? Legend status cemented. His speed, hands – poetry in skates.
Ryan O'Reilly: Warrior's goal kept hope alive; captain through rebuild storms.
Cale Makar: Assist maestro, quarterbacks everything from blueline.
Filip Forsberg: Sniper's edge, assists unlock Nashville's bite.
Mackenzie Blackwood: 28 saves, poise under fire.
X-Factors: Tactics That Tipped the Ice
Avs' transition game shredded Nashville's D, MacKinnon-Necas chemistry lethal on counters. Power play clicked once, PK stonewalled Marchessault extras. Preds' forecheck generated chances but OT discipline faltered.
Watch Dec 13: Avs home PP explodes, Preds third-period push meets altitude. Coaching edges – Bednar's swaps, Brunet's grit – define series.
Avs Keys: Sustain pressure, OT depth.
Preds Keys: PP conversion, Saros hot streak.
Broader Season Narrative: Contenders vs Climbers
Colorado's eight-win streak pre-game underscores dynasty build post-Cup. NHL landscape: Olympic break looms, trade deadline heats. Nashville's youth infusion (Schaefer, Evangelista) hints at future, but vets like O'Reilly carry now.
Central chaos: Avs vs Stars looms next, Preds face Jets. Global Series echoes in their international flavor.
Where to Catch the Action Next
Stream highlights on NHL app, full replay NHL.com/ESPN. Radio: 92.5 FM Nashville, Altitude Sports Colorado. Dec 13: 8 PM ET puck drop, Ball Arena sellout expected.
