O'Reilly scores shootout winner as Predators defeat Avalanche 4-3

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Ryan O'Reilly scored the only goal in a shootout to give the Nashville Predators a 4-3 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night.

Jonathan Marchessault, Reid Schaefer and Brady Skjei scored in regulation for the Predators (11-14-4), who have won three of four. Juuse Saros made 39 saves.

Brock Nelson, Artturi Lehkonen and Cale Makar scored for the NHL-leading Avalanche (21-2-7), who dropped to 0-4 in shootouts this season. Scott Wedgewood stopped 26 shots in regulation and overtime.

With the game tied 2-all, Skjei's shot from the right point through traffic beat a screened Wedgewood on the far side with 7:02 remaining in the third period.

With the Avalanche trailing late and Wedgewood pulled for an extra attacker, Makar scored a power-play goal with eight seconds left to send the game to overtime.

The teams combined for four goals in the first 10:21 but neither team scored again until Skjei's goal in the third.

Nelson opened the scoring at 1:12 of the first period, but Marchessault tied it at 4:05 with a power-play goal.

Schaefer gave Nashville a 2-1 lead 1:25 later, digging out a loose puck from the right corner before driving to the net and beating Wedgewood on the far side.

Lehkonen tied it once again at 10:21, finding a puck in the low slot and beating Saros on the stick side.

Playing in his 900th career game, Nathan MacKinnon picked up an assist on that goal, making him the first NHL player to reach 50 points this season. MacKinnon was the first to 50 last season, too, making him just the fourth player in the last 30 years to do so in consecutive seasons.

MacKinnon and Martin Necas each had two assists.

The Avalanche host the Florida Panthers on Thursday.

The Predators host the St. Louis Blues on Thursday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) moves the puck past Nashville Predators center Fedor Svechkov (40) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) deflects a shot on goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Colorado Avalanche left wing Artturi Lehkonen (62) scores a goal past Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) and defenseman Adam Wilsby (83) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Nashville Predators left wing Reid Schaefer (49) celebrates his goal with teammates during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) blocks a penalty shot by Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) during overtime of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — A quick double strike by Blair Tickner allowed New Zealand to slow the West Indies' comfortable progress toward lunch Wednesday on the first day of the second cricket test.

The West Indies reached 66-0 after being sent in when Tickner dismissed Brandon King and Kavem Hodge in the space of two overs.

The teams played to a draw in the series opener at Christchurch.

Until the intervention of Tickner, who bowled second change, New Zealand's decision to bowl on winning the toss had begun to look unwise as King and John Campbell produced the West Indies' highest opening partnership in 21 innings.

At lunch the tourists were 92-2 with John Campbell 44 not out and Shai Hope 8.

New Zealand captain Tom Latham's decision to bowl on winning the toss was understandable but possibly not well considered. The pitch at the Basin Reserve presented bright green and an opening batter such as Latham would naturally hesitate to bat first.

But the average score in tests of teams which recently have chosen to bat first at the Wellington stadium is around 340 and four of the last five tests at the ground have been won by the team batting first.

The New Zealand pace attack is severely depleted by the recent injuries to Matt Henry and Nathan Smith and the continuing unavailability of Will O'Rourke, Ben Sears and Kyle Jamieson.

New Zealand's attack in this match comprises Will O'Rourke and Zak Foulkes, both playing their third test, Michael Rae on debut and Tickner in just his fourth test.

Duffy and Foulkes shared the new ball, though Duffy bowled 43 and Foulkes bowled 33 overs in the second innings of the drawn first test which ended only three days ago.

The pitch proved much more docile than it appeared with no real pace or sharp bounce and anything short was punished. When the ball found the edge of the bat, it tended to die before reaching the slips. King's superb off-drive for four off Duffy showed the fate of any half volley and he hit a six and a four from the Rae's first over in test cricket.

Tickner dismissed both King (33) and Hodge (0) with balls which were short of a good length but were not clearing the stumps.

Campbell made 1 and 15 in the first test but looked in good touch Wednesday, hitting six boundaries.

Hope made a half century in the first innings and a century in the second innings of the first test while suffering from an eye infection but has fully recovered.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

New Zealand fielders Blair Tickner, left, and Glenn Phillips are unable to field a ball while playing the West Indies on Day 5 of their cricket test match in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

New Zealand fielders Blair Tickner, right, and Glenn Phillips are unable to field a ball while playing the West Indies on Day 5 of their cricket test match in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (Chris Symes/Photosport via AP)

West Indies' Shai Hope celebrates scoring 100 runs against New Zealand on Day 4 of their cricket test match in Christchurch, New Zealand, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (Chris Symes/Photosport via AP)

West Indies' John Campbell bats against New Zealand on Day 4 of their cricket test match in Christchurch, New Zealand, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

West Indies' Justin Greaves raises his bat after scoring 200 runs against New Zealand on Day 5 of their cricket test match in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)