Nashville, TN (SportsNetwork.com) - Craig Smith scored at 2:46 of overtime as the Nashville Predators nabbed a 4-3 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday.
Colorado had tied the game on Nick Holden's goal with 36 seconds left in regulation, but Nashville was still able to win the game shortly after Carter Hutton made a tough save on a Zach Redmond one-timer.
The Predators skated down the other way and Mike Ribeiro sent a saucer pass from the right boards to the left for Smith, who skated down the middle and snapped a wrister past Semyon Varlamov for the victory.
"It certainly wasn't what we wanted to do at the end of the game," said Nashville head coach Peter Laviolette. "But I thought the guys came out with a lot of energy in the overtime and I'm glad we were able to pull this one out."
Filip Forsberg, Colin Wilson and Roman Josi all scored while Ribeiro posted three assists for the Predators, who had lost their final two games before the All-Star break. Hutton stopped 21 shots in the win.
"It was a tough game today," said Colorado head coach Patrick Roy. "I thought we had a good first period, but they took advantage of some things in the second. I'm glad to see that late goal and at least get a point out of here."
Jarome Iginla and Cody McLeod also scored in addition for the Avalanche, who have lost three of their last four games. Varlamov stopped 35 shots.
Colorado drew first blood when Redmond threw a shot on net from the right point that McLeod tipped in at 11:52 of the first.
The Predators tied the game at 3:33 of the second as Josi threw it in from the right point and the team took a 2-1 lead 10 minutes later on the power play when Wilson snapped home a rebound from the left side.
Colorado tied the game at 16:05 of the second on a one-timer from Iginla off a drop pass from Matt Duchene along the right wing.
Just 32 seconds into the third, though, Nashville went back on top when Forsberg shot home his own rebound off a rush play down the right wing.
With the goalie pulled for an extra attacker, the Avs tied the game with 36 seconds showing on the clock after Holden put home a rebound in front of the net.
Game Notes
Nashville plays in St. Louis on Thursday ... Colorado hosts Nashville on Friday ... Nashville went 1-for-2 on the power play, while Colorado was 0- for-2 ... SHea Weber posted two assists for Nashville.
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