Predators sharply focused on Game 6 against Avalanche

NASHVILLE -- The Nashville Predators have been through enough experiences in the Stanley Cup Playoffs during the past four seasons to know there's no room for panic.
Nashville had an opportunity to close out the Colorado Avalanche in Game 5 of the Western Conference First Round at Bridgestone Arena on Friday, but gave up two goals in the final 4:11 of regulation and lost 2-1.

The Predators have shifted their focus from the disappointment of losing Game 5 to the opportunity to close out the series in Game 6 at Pepsi Center on Sunday (7 p.m. ET; NBCSN, TVAS, SN, FS-TN, ALT) with a 3-2 lead in the best-of-7 series.
RELATED: [Complete Predators vs. Avalanche series coverage]
With a victory, Nashville would advance to the Western Conference Second Round against the Winnipeg Jets, who defeated the Minnesota Wild in five games in the first round.
"We have been through a lot," Predators coach Peter Laviolette said. "It's one loss. That's what the playoffs are all about. It's about picking yourself back up when something doesn't go your way and going back out and trying to make things right. There's a lot of confidence in the room that the guys will head on out to Colorado here and get this done."
Nashville had 45 shots on goal in Game 5, including 19 in the third period, but could not solve Colorado goaltender Andrew Hammond, who made his first start of the series. Nashville wants to generate higher quality chances in Game 6.
"We've just got to bury," Predators center Mike Fisher said. "They had a goaltender that hadn't played a lot. He was coming in with a lot of emotion, a lot at stake, and he played well. We've just got to find a way, keep putting those opportunities at him. Like we all talk about, all the things that we've done all year to score, we've just got to keep doing them and it's going to fall."

The Predators relied on their defensemen to contribute offensively during the regular season. The group combined for 55 goals during the regular season, but have not scored against the Avalanche in the series.
Defenseman Roman Josi, who had eight shots in Game 5 to lead all skaters, said he believes their lack of goal production from the back end will eventually change if they stick to their game plan in Game 6.
"Just keep shooting," Josi said. "I mean, [Hammond] played a good game. We've just got to keep shooting. Pucks are going to go in. Just stick to our game plan, keep shooting and just play hard."
The Predators have been successful at Pepsi Center this season; they won twice there during the regular season and earned a 3-2 victory there in Game 4.
"Just play our game," Josi said. "It's one game [Sunday]. We've got to win one game. I think obviously last night, there's things we could have done better, but we'll look at it today. After that, it's focus on tomorrow. We've got a huge chance."