1st Round preview: Nashville Predators vs. Colorado Avalanche

Season Series

The Predators swept the Avalanche in the regular season, winning all four games. The Predators nearly dominated the season series, as they won two games by three goals.

The season series started out early in the regular season, when the Predators headed into the game with a record of 3-2-1.

Neither team scored a goal in the 1st period. Nathan Mackinnon tallied the first goal for the Avalanche early in the 2nd period. The Predators stepped on the gas from that point, scoring three goals in the 2nd period on goals from Viktor Arvidsson, Roman Josi(PP), and Colton Sissons. Austin Watson scored another goal for the Predators in the 3rd period, as the Predators came out on top, 4-1.

The two teams faced off nearly a month later, with the Predators dominating once again. The Predators scored late in the 1st period on a powerplay goal from Craig Smith. The Predators were able to score two goals each in the 2nd and 3rd period, on goals from Sissons, Anthony Bitetto, Mattias Ekholm(PP), and Arvidsson.

The two teams faced off again, nearly four months later. This game was much different from the frist two though. The Predators were riding into this game hot, as they were winners of seven straight. It was a back and forth game, with both teams trading goals. The Avalanche were able to pull ahead late in the 3rd period.

The Predators pulled Rinne to get on the man advantage, when Ryan Ellis scored on a slapshot with just over a minute left in the game to tie it up and send it to OT. In OT, Filip Forsberg scored on this breakaway, giving the Predators their eighth straight win.

The two teams faced off for the final time in the regular season on March 16th. Sissons and Forsberg continued their tear against the Avalanche, as they both scored two goals each to propel the Predators to a 4-2 win and a season sweep of the Avalanche.