Saros Shines, Predators Topple Avalanche 4-3 in Shootout

Photo / Nashville Predators

Juuse Saros was the story at Bridgestone Arena, turning aside 39 Colorado shots and three more in the shootout as the Nashville Predators edged the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche 4-3. The win — Nashville’s fifth in seven games — underscored the club’s rising form and resilience.

Colorado struck just 1:12 into the contest, but the Predators answered with urgency and balanced scoring. Ryan O’Reilly opened the shootout scoring for Nashville, and Jonathan Marchessault, Reid Schaefer and Brady Skjei all made decisive contributions; Skjei’s late third-period goal proved the game-tying go-ahead marker before the teams headed to a tiebreaker. “It wasn’t the hardest shot, but it was nice to finally get one through,” Skjei said after the game. Marchessault praised the opponent while celebrating the result: “They’re a pretty unbelievable team... but we found a way to win tonight.”

The night took a dramatic turn in the shootout when Filip Forsberg collided with Avalanche goalie Scott Wedgewood, forcing Colorado to replace Wedgewood — who was making his first start in a week — and send him to concussion protocol. The incident prompted conversation about shootout tactics; while crashing the net on a shootout attempt isn’t explicitly banned, it raised questions about player conduct in high-stakes moments. Head coach Jared Bednar noted the league’s role in player safety: “If they see something they think is fishy, they call down for the safety of the players.” Backup MacKenzie Blackwood, who came in for Wedgewood, didn’t face a shot in the shootout.

Between Saros’s standout night, key offensive plays from Nashville’s depth and a loud home crowd, the Predators left Bridgestone with a signature victory that adds momentum as the season progresses.