Cole Makar scores in OT, Avalanche beat Predators in Game 2

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Cale Makar sent a low liner through traffic and then quickly found himself surrounded by happy teammates.

Maybe the happiest of all was at the other end. After all, it was goaltender Darcy Kuemper’s 32nd birthday. The goal made for quite a present.

Makar scored 8:31 into overtime, Kuemper made 25 saves and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Nashville Predators 2-1 on Thursday night to take a 2-0 lead in the first-round playoff series.

Makar got the rebound in the middle of the offensive zone and blasted the puck right on target — just like he was all night. His 12 shots on goal was a new franchise playoff record.

"It just felt like the puck was finding us up top tonight," the humble Makar explained. "Not even me specifically, we were just trying to work it around."

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Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar is swarmed by teammates after scoring against the Nashville Predators during overtime in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Thursday, May 5, 2022, in Denver. The Avalanche won 2-1. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Nathan MacKinnon also scored for Colorado, which faced a more intense Nashville defense after winning 7-2 in Game 1. The Predators blocked 34 shots.

"We felt like we were on them the whole third period, and eventually most of the time, the hockey gods are going to reward you for that hard work," Makar said. "For us, we were able to get a lucky one in overtime."

The series moves to Nashville for Game 3 on Saturday.

Yakov Trenin scored for Nashville.

Connor Ingram stepped in and stepped up in stopping 49 shots as he made his first postseason start. He allowed