Ryan O’Reilly Leads Predators to Victory
In a striking performance on Friday night, Ryan O’Reilly led the Nashville Predators to a 7-3 triumph over the Colorado Avalanche, marking a significant milestone with his seventh career hat trick. This victory was especially noteworthy as it marked the first time this season that the Avalanche have lost at home in regulation.
O’Reilly’s Impact
O’Reilly, who was instrumental in the game, not only scored three times but also contributed an assist, making it his first hat trick since January 4, 2025, against Calgary, and the second against the franchise that initially drafted him in 2009. After spending his first six NHL seasons with Colorado, O’Reilly was traded to Buffalo before the 2015-16 season.
Key Contributions
Filip Forsberg played a key role for Nashville as well, netting a goal and setting up two others. In goal, Juuse Saros proved to be a solid last line of defense, turning aside 39 shots for the Predators.
For Colorado, Brock Nelson shone, contributing two goals to the scoreboard along with a lone score from Martin Necas. Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, making his return after an extended absence due to a lower-body injury, faced 30 shots and managed to stop 23 of them. The Avalanche, who have been remarkably strong at home with a record of 19-1-3 prior to this game, fell to 33-5-8 overall.
Game Highlights
O’Reilly kicked off the scoring just 30 seconds into the first period, followed swiftly by a second goal at 7:32, where his pass to the front of the net was inadvertently redirected in by Avalanche defenseman Sam Girard. However, the Avalanche responded quickly, with Nelson scoring twice in the first period: first, on a rebound just after O’Reilly’s initial goal, and again later with a deflection.
After the first intermission, Saros’s strong goaltending helped Nashville maintain their momentum. O’Reilly’s third goal at 13:01 of the second period put the Predators ahead 3-2, and Michael Bunting extended their lead at 18:04. Necas managed to cut the deficit early in the third, but Forsberg’s power-play goal at 15:13 pushed Nashville’s lead to 5-3, with Steven Stamkos and Michael McCarron sealing the outcome with late empty-net goals.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, the Predators will face the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday, while the Avalanche will host the Washington Capitals on Monday afternoon.
AP NHL
