Colorado Avalanche look to reach playoff spot with win over Nashville Predators - NHL Preview
This is Colorado Avalanche’s opportunity to put themselves into the playoff spot while also avenging their two earlier defeats against Nashville Predators on Thursday, March 8, 2012 at the Bridgestone Arena.
The Avalanche have bounced back in spectacular style from their recent two-game skid. Colorado was surprisingly shutout by the Columbus Blue Jackets in a 2-0 defeat and followed it up by a 5-1 pounding at the hands of Pittsburgh Penguins.
The losses kept Colorado out of the playoff spot which has been just outside their reach for most of the current season.
However, they bounced back and defeated Minnesota Wild in two straight games to get level on points with eighth ranked San Jose Sharks.
The Avalanche are currently tenth in the Western Conference with 74 points and a victory on the road to Nashville will put them into a playoff spot.
Nashville Predators though will not be an easy opponent. The Predators are fifth in the conference table with 83 points.
The Predators have recently put in some inconsistent performances and lost their last game to Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday by 5-4.
Avalanche (35-29-4, 74 pts)
Colorado have throughout the season failed to take the next step and make the most of their opportunities to get into eighth spot.
They have another shot at doing just that when they take on Nashville on the road and the manner of their last two victories shows that this time they are up for it.
The Avalanche defeated Minnesota Wild in two back-to-back encounters starting with a 2-0 shutout on the road before pounding them 7-1 in the return fixture.
Coach, Joe Sacco, praised his two new entrants in the roster Jamie McGinn and Steve Downie after both played brilliantly in the lopsided 7-1 win.
"Those two guys have made a good impact on our hockey team so far. It can get a little infectious. It can rub off on other guys."
Predators (38-21-7, 83 pts)
Nashville will be looking to bounce back from their 5-4 defeat to Los Angeles Kings but they will face a pumped up Avalanche who will not be easy to break down.
Goaltender, Pekka Rinne, will be key for the Predators and coach, Barry Trotz, will be hoping that Rinne can bounce back from his nightmare in front of goal against the Kings.
Trotz said after the game.
"To me, it just wasn't Peks' night. We weren't helping him a whole lot.”
Predictions
Colorado will win the game by a close margin to finally get into eighth spot.
Lots of goals will be scored as both teams are brilliant in offence.
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