Three Thoughts: Early Deficit Costs Preds in Game 3

The Avalanche built an early 4-0 lead and the Predators dropped their first game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs by a 5-3 final score in Game 3.
Colorado's Herculean Push:
The Predators knew the push was coming. They knew the Avalanche would have renewed energy with the Round One series shifting to Colorado.

And yet, to see the home team attack in wave after wave in the opening minutes of Game 3, Colorado's relentless pressure was truly something to behold.
Blake Comeau deflected in a feed on the Avs' second shot of the game to open the scoring at 1:50 of the first. Despite some push back from the Predators over the next 10 minutes, Colorado built on their early advantage, taking their first multi-goal lead of the series with tallies at 13:24 and 18:07 of the opening frame.

Better in Front of Rinne:
It's worth repeating, the Predators' start wasn't up to their standard. The Avalanche held a distinct advantage in offensive zone time and possession during 5-on-5 play in the first period.
Trapped in their own end, Nashville's defense allowed too many in-tight chances on goaltender Pekka Rinne and failed to clear the puck on a few different occasions.
The Preds have always been built from the net out, so improvement on tying up Avalanche forwards in front of the Nashville net and clean zone exits will go a long way in mounting more offensive pressure right from the start of the game.

Something to Build on?
Nashville didn't fold when they found themselves down 4-0 early in the second. At that point, the remaining 35 or so minutes were about setting a tone for Game 4 and chipping away in the remaining time of Game 3.
At 10:23 of the second, Ryan Johansen gave the Predators' red-hot power play another feather in their cap by chipping in a rebound to get Nashville on the board. In the third, Roman Josi flew through neutral ice, drew the attention of the Avalanche and set up Colton Sissons for a tap in goal to make it 4-2. Austin Watson later added his third of the series after Colorado grabbed an empty-net goal.
The last 11 minutes of regulation? Pretty much all Nashville. Play like that in Game 4 and no team can stop the Predators.
Streak is Over:
The Predators had beaten the Avalanche 12 consecutive times going into Game 3, including five straight at Pepsi Center.
The Predators managed to rally from deficits in both games in Denver during the 2017-18 regular season, but were unable to do so on Monday night as Colorado cut Nashville's lead in the series to 2-1.