Steven Stamkos outlines why Predators have 'a recipe for success' after OT win

· Yahoo Sports

Steven Stamkos found plenty of reasons to celebrate another victory by the Nashville Predators.

The Predatorsbeat the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 in overtime at Ball Arena on Nov. 5 thanks to Stamkos' 10th goal of the season, a blistering slap shot from the left circle off a pass from Roman Josi.

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"That one felt really good coming off the stick," Stamkos said. "It was a big goal and we'll take the win."

The win gives Nashville (7-4-5, 19 points) its third straight win, including victories over Carolina and Tampa Bay and now trail the Avalanche (9-6-2, 20 points) by a single point for fourth place in the Western Conference.

"It just feels like we're building some momentum in terms of how we want to play our game," Stamkos said. "The style of play with our group, we're getting comfortable. We've had a lot of turnover this year with new guys ... but all four lines are rolling. The (defense) is playing great. Our goaltenders are playing great. Our special teams has been great. It's a recipe for success."

The Predators had an early lead after Ross Colton's fourth goal of the season, then took a 2-1 lead on Vitali Pinchuk's first NHL goal. It was a spectacular individual effort from Pinchuk, holding off a defender and backhanding a shot over goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood's shoulder.

"Way nicer than a lot of guy's first NHL goals," Stamkos said of the effort. "I'm sure he'll remember that for a long time."

While Nashville was struggling to find wins early in the season, suddenly they've found some chemistry. They now have three wins in their last five games and points in five of their last six.

Special teams have been crucial — the Predators have the fifth-ranked power play and the third-ranked penalty kill — but Stamkos sees improvement in their 5-on-5 play as well.

"We're playing some really good teams here and we're finding ways to win," Stamkos said. "You can just feel something changing in terms of how we're playing. Certainly defending a lot harder. I think we're figuring out what we need to do offensively to get pucks in deep, using our speed and forecheck. Everyone's contributing. That's the key to a good hockey team."

Next up, the Predators host the St. Louis Blues at Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 7 (1 p.m. CT, The Spot Nashville 28).

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Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at [email protected], follow him on X at @alexdaugherty1 or check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Steven Stamkos outlines why Predators have 'a recipe for success' after OT win

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