Summary: Girard scores in overtime to help Avalanche beat Predators in thriller

The Colorado Avalanche are back to .500, and Samuel Girard came through as the hero.

The star defenseman stole the puck from a fumbling Brady Skjei, drew a penalty and scored on a breakaway in overtime Monday night to send the Avalanche (8-8) home winners in a 3-2 barnburner at Ball Arena.

Devon Toews and Mikko Rantanen each scored and Girard also had an assist for the Avs, who have won two straight and three of their last four. Also, Nathan MacKinnon came through with an assist to extend his season-opening home point streak to 10 games (five goals, 17 assists). And after a rough start to the season, Alexander Georgiev looks to have found his footing as he made 29 saves in another strong performance.

Nashville’s Luke Evangelista scored to make it a 1-0 game when he pounced on a rebound at the top of the crease and fired it past Georgiev at 1:45 of the opening frame. It was another slow start as Colorado was outscored 12-6 in the period.

Toews scored his first marker of the season 4:32 into the second period when his shot deflected off a Predators skate and snuck past goaltender Juuse Saros.

Rantanen gave the Avalanche the lead with a one-timer from the right face-off dot with 8 minutes, 23 seconds left in the second.

The Predators came out with a sense of urgency to start the final period and it was Colton Sissons who slammed home a shot to tie the game at 2. It all started when Roman Josi fed him a pass and he did not miss and hit. Georgiev just 59 seconds into the period.

Both goaltenders were sublime down the stretch as the game remained tied at two at the end of regulation.

And we all know what happened from there. Playing excellent psychological warfare, Girard stole the puck and scored his first goal of the season on a breakaway 2:47 into overtime to send the Colorado fans home happy. The 26-year-old Girard was mobbed by his teammates on the ice after beating Saros with a glancing shot that hit the left corner of the net.

Colorado is starting to get into a groove and it couldn’t have come at a better time. The team is still plagued by injuries, but with Valeri Nichushkin soon to return from suspension, it will be a much-needed boost to the offense as he stays out of trouble. Georgiev has had great achievements. Once the offense gets some strength back, we’ll see what this team is really capable of. And as Girard exemplified, this team isn’t going away quietly.

The Avalanche home run continues as they take on the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday at the Ball Arena. Puck drop is at 8pm local time. This game will be televised nationally on TNT/Max.