[52-22-8]
5
4
03/25/2014
FINAL SO
[38-32-12]
123 SO T
COL112 1 (2-3) 5
28SHOTS33
38FACEOFFS33
12HITS15
4PIM0
0/0PP0/2
6GIVEAWAYS7
9TAKEAWAYS17
14BLOCKED SHOTS10
     

Avalanche try to get back in win column vs. Predators

Wednesday, 08.06.2014 / 4:52 AM

AVALANCHE (44-21-6) at PREDATORS (31-31-10)

TV: ALT, FS-TN

Last 10: Colorado 5-4-1; Nashville 5-5-0

Season series: This is the fourth and final game between the Colorado Avalanche and the Nashville Predators. Colorado has won two of the three, all of which were close contests, including a 5-4 Avalanche victory Jan. 18, the last time the teams played.

Big story: The Avalanche, who will play seven of their final 11 games away from home, have not played since Friday and hope the extra rest helps them end a three-game losing streak. The Predators, who have lost five straight at Bridgestone Arena, seek their sixth win in their past eight games overall.

Team Scope:

Avalanche: The Avalanche have lost three games in a row for the first time since losing four straight in late December. They boast an impressive 21-10-3 road record, but know playing in Nashville isn't easy.

"They always play well at home. They always come at you for 60 full minutes," forward Paul Stastny said after practice Monday. "I think they have a couple of lines, they all have similar roles where they are tough to play against. We know it's going to be a challenge for us."

As coach Patrick Roy noted, the teams tend to play close games. One game was decided by one goal while the other two this season were two-goal games thanks to an empty-net goal.

"Every game we play with Nashville was a close game, even the last one, I think we were up 5-1 with about six or eight minutes left in the game and they put it back to 5-4," Roy said. "We know we are going to have a team that's going to compete hard [Tuesday]. It's an important game for us."

Predators: Nashville beat the Chicago Blackhawks 2-0 on Sunday after beating the Calgary Flames 6-5 on Friday to finish their road trip 2-2-0. Goalie Pekka Rinne, who had allowed 13 goals in three games, made 29 saves in the shutout Sunday.

"I've struggled the last couple games on this road trip, and it's been tough for me," Rinne said after the game. "So it for sure feels good after [Sunday's] win. The guys played extremely hard. Against a top team like that, it's going to get the best out of you, and I think we showed that as a team tonight."

The Predators will face another tough team in the Avalanche. Nine of their final 10 games are against teams competing for Stanley Cup Playoff berths.

Who's hot: Avalanche forward Matt Duchene has five assists in his past four games. Forward Jamie McGinn has six points in his past four games. … Predators rookie Calle Jarnkrok has an assist in each of his first two NHL games.

Injury report: Avalanche forward Alex Tanguay (hip) is on injured reserve. Forward PA Parenteau (MCL) is out. Forward John Mitchell (back) is questionable. … Predators forwards Patrick Eaves (lower body) and Paul Gaustad (upper body) are doubtful. Defenseman Seth Jones (concussion-like symptoms) left the game Sunday and is doubtful.

Back to top