Makar's OT goal lifts Avalanche past Predators in Game 2

DENVER -- Cale Makar scored at 8:31 of overtime to give the Colorado Avalanche a 2-1 win against the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of the Western Conference First Round at Ball Arena on Thursday.

Makar, who had 12 of Colorado's 51 shots, won it with a wrist shot from the edge of the face-off circle to give the Avalanche a 2-0 lead in the best-of-7 series.
"Give credit to their goalie (Connor Ingram), he played well," Makar said. "He was making the saves that he needed to make for them, and the one at the end there, just got through] traffic. I tried to just throw it low and luckily went in, but it was overall just a good effort, I feel like, by the guys getting everything to the net."
Nathan MacKinnon also scored, and Darcy Kuemper made 25 saves for Colorado, the No. 1 seed in the West.
Game 3 will be played at Nashville on Saturday.
"My belief is that we just had to keep doing what we were doing and we'd find a way to win the hockey game," Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. "I thought 'Kuemps' did an amazing job of staying in the game with the way we were limiting shots, especially in the second half of the game, and staying sharp. He ends up making some big saves, a couple in the third and another couple in overtime, for sure, that give us a chance to win that game."
[RELATED: [Complete Avalanche vs. Predators series coverage]
Ingram made 49 saves in his first NHL playoff start, and Yakov Trenin scored for the Predators, the second wild card in the West. The 25-year-old rookie got the start after he made 30 saves in relief of David Rittich in a 7-2 loss in Game 1 on Monday.
"I think [Makar's shot] was the first one all game I didn't get my eyes on before it got to me, and that's what happens," Ingram said.

MacKinnon scored at 5:25 of the first period with a wrist shot from the right dot to give Colorado a 1-0 lead.
It was MacKinnon's third goal of the series. He has 73 points (31 goals, 42 assists) in 52 games, the third-highest points-per-game average (1.40) in Stanley Cup Playoff history among players with a minimum of 40 games played.
"[MacKinnon] lives to compete, and it's awesome," Makar said. "Even before our first game, you could see it in morning skate just how amped up he was. He's a driving force on our team, and it was awesome to see him get that first one.
"And then I feel like the boys just in general built off of that the whole night. So, he definitely started it off and continued it for us, but he's definitely a different animal in the playoffs and that's why he's probably the best player in the world."
Trenin tied it 1-1 at 15:19 with a wrist shot from the left circle.
Ingram made 21 saves in the second period and 13 in the third period.
"Connor played great," Predators coach John Hynes said. "He had a great goaltending performance tonight. He made lots of saves at key times, and it was nice to see him be able to play to his ability. I think against a high-powered offensive team, you're going to need excellent goaltending to win games, and he certainly provided that tonight."

NOTES: It was Makar's fourth game-winning goal in the playoffs, tying Sandis Ozolinsh for the most by a defenseman in Avalanche/Quebec Nordiques history. His 12 shots on goal set their record for the most by any player in a playoff game; Claude Lemieux had 11 shots in a postseason game twice (May 8, 1996 at the Chicago Blackhawks, and May 9, 1997 at the Edmonton Oilers). … Colorado forward Valeri Nichushkin appeared to score to make it 2-1 at 19:56 of the second period, but it was waved off for goalie interference. The Avalanche unsuccessfully challenged the ruling on the ice. … Ingram became the first rookie goalie to start a playoff game for the Predators. His 49 saves are tied with Elvis Merzlikins of the Columbus Blue Jackets (2020) for the most by a goalie making his first playoff start in the past 10 years. … Defenseman Roman Josi tied Ryan Ellis for the most postseason assists in Predators history (31).