Predators vs. Avalanche Recap: Stamkos Wins It in OT, Six Plays Cash

The Predators beat the Avalanche 3-2 in overtime on Thursday night, and Steven Stamkos ended it on the power play at 2:18 of OT. Nashville scored twice in the 1st period, on Ross Colton's backhand at 4:01 and Vitali Pinchuk's first goal of the season at 14:34. Colorado answered both times, with Jaden Schwartz at 9:11 of the 1st and Parker Kelly at 5:08 of the 2nd, and neither team scored again in regulation. Colorado outshot Nashville 32-25. Justus Annunen made 30 saves for the Predators, while Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 22 for the Avalanche. Nashville got its only power-play goal on five chances, and it was the winner. Six DARIMARKET plays cashed on this game.

What cashed

Roman Josi 2+ shots on goal (-230 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Josi had 2+ shots on goal in each of his last five games, 9 of his last 10 and 12 of 15 this season, averaging 3.5 shots a game over his last ten. - What happened: Josi finished with 2 shots on goal and an assist in 28:22 (5:48 on the power play). That cleared the line by 0.5. Both shots came in the 3rd, the second at 11:03, and he also set up the Stamkos winner in OT. - Worth watching: He led Nashville's skaters in both total and power-play ice time. The usage is there, but at this price a two-shot night leaves little room.

Ryan O'Reilly 1+ points (-185 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: O'Reilly had 1+ points in 4 of his last five, 8 of his last 10 and 11 of 15 this season, at 1.2 points a game over his last ten. - What happened: O'Reilly had 2 assists, 2 shots on goal and 3 blocks in 24:31 (5:41 on the power play). He set up Colton's opener at 4:01 of the 1st, so this cashed early, then added the second assist on the OT winner. He cleared the line by 1.5. - Worth watching: He was in on two of Nashville's three goals and logged heavy power-play minutes. That usage keeps his points angle worth a look.

Nazem Kadri 2+ shots on goal (-215 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Kadri cleared 2+ shots on goal in 13 of 16 games this season, averaging 2.5, and was coming off a quiet one-shot game. - What happened: Kadri put 3 shots on goal in 16:04 (5:14 on the power play), 1.5 over the line. All three came in the 3rd, with the second at 16:20 and the third at 18:39. - Worth watching: He got real power-play time, and his volume bounced back after a quiet game. That role keeps the angle worth a look.

ALT: Predators over 1.5 team goals (-350 at FanDuel): CASHED - Our read: Nashville had scored 2+ in each of its last five, 9 of its last 10 and 13 of 15 this season. The main team total was 2.5 (-135 at DraftKings), and the alt line asked for one fewer goal. - What happened: Nashville scored 3, clearing 1.5 by 1.5. The second goal, Pinchuk's backhand at 14:34 of the 1st, settled it in the opening period. - Worth watching: The alt price is steep. It only makes sense when the scoring trend is this steady.

Predators +1.5 (-142 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Nashville had covered +1.5 in each of its last five, 8 of its last 10 and 12 of 15 this season. Both starting goalies were projected but not confirmed when we posted. - What happened: Nashville won outright 3-2 in overtime, so the puck line cashed with 2.5 goals to spare. Annunen got the start for Nashville and stopped 30 of 32. - Worth watching: The +1.5 cashes on a win or a one-goal loss. Nashville stayed in this one despite being outshot.

Artturi Lehkonen 2+ shots on goal (-190 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Lehkonen had 2+ shots on goal in each of his last five, 8 of his last 10 and 10 of 16 this season, and was listed on the top line with MacKinnon and Necas plus PP1. - What happened: Lehkonen had 2 shots on goal in 18:31, clearing the line by 0.5. Both came in the 3rd, at 8:17 and 16:07. He logged only 0:27 on the power play. - Worth watching: The even-strength role carried this one. Check whether the PP1 spot shows up in his minutes before backing him again at this price.

How the game played out

The 1st period was the busy one, with three goals and Colorado holding a 12-9 edge in shots. After Kelly tied it in the 2nd, the goalies took over. Annunen stopped all 10 Colorado shots in the 3rd and Blackwood stopped all 9 from Nashville. In overtime, Devon Toews was called for hooking Stamkos at 2:02, and Stamkos scored on a slap shot 16 seconds later.

Trends to watch

• Nashville's top power-play group: Josi (5:48) and O'Reilly (5:41) both drew heavy power-play minutes and both assisted on the winner.
• Colorado's late volume: the Avalanche put 10 shots on goal in the 3rd, and all of Kadri's and Lehkonen's shots on goal came in that period.
• Goalie workload: Annunen faced 32 shots and posted a .938 save percentage. Blackwood faced 25 and finished at .880.

Stats are from the ESPN box score. For more, see the NHL hub, how a player prop works, and what an alt line is.