Avalanche in the driver’s seat thanks to Rantanen

DENVER – Mikko Rantanen scored on the power play at 2:07 into overtime, and the Colorado Avalanche doubled its lead in the second round series over the Vegas Golden Knights with a 3-2 win in Game 2 on Wednesday in Ball Arena.

Rantanen accepted a cross pass from Nathan MacKinnon and he hit the target with a wrist shot from the right circle.

Tyson jost and Brandon saad scored, Samuel Girard had two assists and Philipp grubauer stopped 39 shots for Colorado, who won Game 1 7-1 on Sunday.

READ ALSO : Montreal picks up where it left off in Toronto

Reilly smith and Alec martinez hit the target and Shea theodore amassed two assists, while Marc-André Fleury stood in front of 22 shots for Vegas.

Game 3 is Friday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (10 p.m. ET; TVAS, CBC, SN, NBCSN).

Saad gave the Avalanche a 1-0 lead at 3:39 of the first period, coming into the slot and beating Fleury between the pads after a long pass from Girard. Saad has scored one goal in five consecutive games.

Martinez tied the game 1-1 at 9:32 with a shot on reception from the right circle, following a pass from Max Pacioretty.

Jost made it 2-1 at 5:08 pm with a shot from the top of the left circle on the power play.

Video: Rantanen and the Avalanche win game 2

Smith tied it 2-2 at 10:28 of the second period. Jonathan marchessault allowed him to get into the slot, and he backhand scored on the side of the mitt.

The Golden Knights led the Avalanche 15-6 in shots in the third period, and 40-23 in regulation.

Colorado have won six straight games to start the Stanley Cup playoffs, after sweeping the St. Louis Blues in four games in the first round.