The Colorado Avalanche managed to salvage a point against the Nashville Predators on Thursday night, in what was essentially a lackluster 3-2 overtime loss at Ball Arena.
Jaden Schwartz and Parker Kelly scored for Colorado, with Kelly tying the game early in the second period after Nashville had taken a 2-1 lead. However, Steven Stamkos eventually ended things with a power-play goal in overtime.
It was a frustrating result for the Avalanche, who had opportunities to take over the game. But it seemed as though the Predators just showed more pushback in the end. The overall underwhelming performance, despite outshooting the Preds, left fans wanting a more definitive showing against a team that hasn’t really shown to be a dominant force this season.
Avalanche offense couldn't get the job done
The juggernaut Avalanche offense continues to be stuck in first gear. Elite scorers Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar were both held off the scoresheet, while Martin Necas managed just one assist all night.
That's not exactly the kind of production Colorado expected from its elite-level scorers, especially against a Nashville side that hasn’t exactly been lights-out defensively this season. The Avalanche outshot the Predators 32-25, but having more attempts on goal didn't translate into enough quality offensive production.
Instead, it was the depth that kept Colorado afloat. Schwartz opened the scoring for the Avalanche in the first period after Nashville took an early lead, while Parker Kelly brought the game back to even in the second. Those contributions were important, but they also highlighted how much Colorado needed from its supporting cast.
There's only so much the depth players can do. Eventually, MacKinnon, Makar and the rest of the top offensive group need to take over. That didn't happen against Nashville, and it cost the Avalanche an opportunity to collect two points.
Mackenzie Blackwood kept Avalanche in the game
If there was one reason Colorado managed to salvage a point, it was Mackenzie Blackwood. The goaltender stopped 22 of Nashville's 25 shots and made several important saves to keep his team within striking distance.
Perhaps the biggest came in the third period when Blackwood denied Adam Wilsby from the left circle. It was the kind of save that could easily have changed the outcome, particularly with both teams struggling to find another goal during regulation.
DENIED BY BLACKWOOD ❌ pic.twitter.com/JqcBFrUj5p
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) November 6, 2026
The Avalanche actually outshot Nashville, but that doesn't necessarily mean they controlled the game. The Predators generated some dangerous opportunities, and Blackwood was repeatedly called upon to bail out his teammates.
That's becoming an important part of the equation for Colorado. The Avalanche have enough offensive talent to overwhelm opponents, but they can't expect their goaltenders to keep compensating for stretches when the rest of the lineup isn't getting the job done.
Blackwood did his part against Nashville. Unfortunately, his teammates couldn't quite return the favor.
Costly overtime penalty sealed Colorado’s fate
It's difficult to pin this loss on any single player, but the overtime penalty certainly didn't help. Just over two minutes into the extra frame, Devon Toews was called for hooking Steven Stamkos, giving Nashville a four-on-three power play.
And the Predators didn't need much time to capitalize.
Stamkos beat Blackwood with a one-timer at 2:18, giving Nashville the 3-2 victory. It was a particularly frustrating way for Colorado to lose after battling back from a deficit and managing to keep the game tied through the third period.
Toews' penalty was costly, but the bigger issue was how the Avalanche allowed the game to reach that point. Colorado didn't generate enough offensively, had to rely heavily on Blackwood, and ultimately gave Nashville an opportunity to finish things in overtime.
There was some tough luck involved, too. That's hockey. But the Avalanche can't simply chalk this one up to an unfortunate bounce or a single mistake.
It was another uneven effort from a team that should be getting more out of its roster. The overtime penalty was the final blow, but Colorado had plenty of opportunities to avoid putting itself in that position in the first place.
Add us as a preferred source on Google