Tough Call Helps Predators Stop Avs In Overtime, 5-4

It was a critical call that went against the Colorado Avalanche.

And it ended up leading directly to the game-winning goal for the Nashville Predators in a 5-4 overtime win Tuesday night in Music City.

With the game in overtime, the Avalanche was called for too many men on the ice. On the ensuing power play, Avs forward J.T. Compher went to the ice and blocked a shot but the puck rebounded directly to former Avs forward Matt Duchene, who fired a one-timer past Avalanche goalie Darcy Kuemper for the game-winner.

It was Duchene's second goal of the game.

The penalty that led to the deciding power play for Nashville did not sit well with the Avs at all.

“Our guys, we’re frustrated over it,” Colorado head coach Jared Bednar said. “I still haven’t seen the too many men. I’ve already looked at the video.”

Avs defenseman Cale Makar also wondered about the call.

"I think this is the most frustrated our group has been all year to be completely honest with you," Makar said. "I haven't seen a great angle on the camera yet but I didn't see too many men. It's a tough call to make in OT. It is what it is."

And what it is is a loss that snapped the Avs five-game winning streak.

Makar scored his 16th goal of the season. Nathan MacKinnon, Andre Burakovsky and Nicolas Aube-Kubel also scored.

Avalanche defenseman Bowen Byram did not play in the game for what Bednar called personal reasons. Bednar said he hoped Byram would be back with the team "in the near future."

MORE ON THE AVS LOSS HERE

The Avalanche starts a home-and-home set against the Arizona Coyotes on Friday, January 14 at Ball Arena in Denver. The puck drops at 7 p.m. MST.

Here is a still picture of the Avs penalty for too many men on the ice from Peter Baugh of The Athletic.

Postgame comments from Avs defenseman Cale Makar.

Postgame comments from Avs head coach Jared Bednar.