NHL Preview: Colorado Avalanche (44-21-6, 94pts) vs. Nashville Predators (31-31-10, 72pts)
By Andrew Dill
Oct 4, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) controls the puck as Nashville Predators center Matt Cullen (7) chases from behind in the second period at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
The Colorado Avalanche (44-21-6, 94 points) are coming off of a rare 2-0 loss to the Boston Bruins on Friday night. They look to bounce back on the road where they will take on a Nashville Predators team who will be without rookie Seth Jones due to concussion like symptoms. The Avalanche are three points back of the Chicago Blackhawks in the Central Division standings with St. Louis in the lead with 103 points.
What: NHL Preview: vs.
When: Tuesday, March 25th
Where: Bridgestone Arena
Time: 8:00 PM ET, 6:00 PM MT
TV: Altitude Sports
This is the fourth and final matchup this season between the two teams as Colorado currently leads the series 2-1. In the most recent meeting, Colorado came away with the 5-4 win in Nashville on Jan. 18th. Avalanche rookie defenseman Nick Holden stole the show collecting two goals and one assist to put the Avalanche over the top. Paul Stastny and Nathan MacKinnon would both collect two assists in the victory.
The Avalanche have hit a rough patch in their last three games, losing three straight. The team is hoping the extra rest they have had will bring about fresh legs since they haven’t played since Friday night. Here is what assistant captain Paul Stastny had to say about playing at Nashville via NHL.com.
"“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.”"
A pair of Avalanche players are on a hot streak as Matt Duchene has five assists in the last four games while winger Jamie McGinn has six points.
Projected Starting Goaltenders:
Colorado Avalanche: Semyon Varlamov: 34-14-5, 2.48 GAA, .925% save percentage.
Nashville Predators: Pekka Rinne: 7-9-1, 2.59 GAA, .909% save percentage.