The Nashville Predators defeated the Colorado Avalanche, 5-2, on Thursday night.
And the Predators got an assist from COVID-19.
The Avs were down four players, three of whom tested positive on game day. Head coach Jared Bednar said Andre Burakovsky tested positive on Wednesday before J.T. Compher did on Thursday morning.
With faceoff scheduled for 7 p.m. central time, Bednar said goalie Darcy Kuemper had a positive test after 5 p.m. central while Makar tested positive after 6 p.m. central.
"I went to our players and said, 'What do you want to do?'" Bednar explained after the game. "We were here to play a game. They were short-handed; we were short-handed. We're not using COVID as an excuse. We're here to win a hockey game. We have plenty of capable bodies in the lineup."
The Predators were also missing seven players due to COVID protocols.
With Kuemper unable to play, Pavel Froncouz made his first start in net since March 11, 2020 after overcoming hop and ankle injuries.
After leading 1-0 at the first intermission, the Predators added two more goals in the second period. Mikko Rantanen got the Avalanche on the score board at 9:57 of the second.
Valeri Nichushkin's goal at 9:12 of the third period brought the Avs within 3-2 but the Predators scored the final two goals of the game.
Up next for the Avalanche is a home game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday, December 18 at 7 p.m. MST.
Postgame comments from Avs forward Mikko Rantanen.
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Postgame comments from Avs goalie Pavel Francouz.
Postgame comments from Avs head coach Jared Bednar.