Samuel Girard (47th overall in 2016) was a second-round selection by the Predators and began his NHL career in Nashville… Predators center Matt Duchene was the Avalanche's first-round pick in 2009 (No. 3 overall) and spent his first eight-plus seasons in Colorado… The Preds' Rocco Grimaldi played games for the Avs in two seasons from 2016-2018… Colorado's Tyson Jost and Nashville's Dante Fabbro played together with the Penticton Vees of the British Columbia Hockey League from 2014-2016.
HISTORY
All-time, the Avalanche has a 35-37-7 record when facing the Predators. When playing on home ice against Nashville, Colorado maintains a 19-19-3 record.
Colorado has not faced Nashville since the last "leap day", February 29th, 2020, the third time the Avs have ever played on a leap day. The Avalanche took home a 3-2 win on the road, with Erik Johnson having a team-high two points (one goal, one assist).
ROSTER REPORT
Kiefer Sherwood is being sent to the Colorado Eagles. After eight games for the Avs, Sherwood has tallied one assist and has taken seven shots on goal.
INJURY REPORT
Nathan MacKinnon continues to be out for three weeks due to a lower-body injury. J.T. Compher is out for a month due to an upper-body injury. Rookie Bowen Byram is currently in protocol and, given his history of concussions, will rejoin the group when he feels he is ready. Martin Kaut continues to be evaluated on a week-to-week basis, suffering an upper-body injury. Stefan Matteau remains out for weeks rehabbing a lower-body injury he suffered on Oct. 16. Pavel Francouz is operating on a week-to-week basis.
SCOUTING THE PREDATORS
Currently, the Predators stand at third place in the Central Division, two spots ahead of the Avalanche. They have put up 23 points, maintaining an 11-8-1 record. Their last matchup resulted in a 4-2 victory at home over the New Jersey Devils. After one game on the road in Colorado, Nashville will return home for a three-game homestand facing the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens.
(OPPOSING) PLAYER TO WATCH: Roman Josi
Defensemen Roman Josi is second on the Predators in points (20) and assists (13). In their most recent matchup, Nashville took down the New Jersey Devils at home, with Josi grabbing a goal and an assist to lead the Preds.
NUMBERS GAME
9
Cale Makar leads all NHL defensemen with nine goals. Seven of those have come in the month of November.
198
Nazem Kari currently sits at 198 career goals. He has scored seven so far this season.
8x8
In eight games played, Devon Toews has posted eight points so far. He has also spent zero minutes in penalty.
NOTEBOOK
Friday against the Dallas Stars, Cale Maker set the Avalanche franchise record for the longest goal streak by a defenseman at five games... The Colorado Avalanche maintain a record of 6-3-2 all-time on the day after Thanksgiving... Cale Makar has scored a goal in a franchise-record five straight games for a defenseman... Samuel Girard is 12 games away from having played 300 career NHL games.
