The Colorado Avalanche take on the Nashville Predators in the Avalanche vs Predators game Sunday at Bridgestone Arena, with puck drop set for 8 p.m. ET. Colorado enters at 6-4-1 off a 6-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, while Nashville sits at 3-3-3 after a 6-0 loss to the Boston Bruins. The biggest question is whether the Predators can slow down an Avalanche offense that has outscored opponents by 14 goals this season.
Avalanche Vs Predators Game Information
- Date: Sunday, Oct. 25
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Venue: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN
- TV/Streaming: ESPN+, Scripps Sports, Altitude Sports
How Have Both Teams Played Recently?
Colorado has split its last five games, going 2-3-0 with wins over the Pittsburgh Penguins (5-2) and Lightning (6-3) sandwiched around losses to the Dallas Stars, Philadelphia Flyers and New Jersey Devils. The Avalanche sit fourth in the Central Division at 13 points, just one point behind Dallas and Minnesota.
Nashville has lost four of its last five, including a shutout defeat in Boston and a 5-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. The Predators’ lone win in that stretch came against the St. Louis Blues on Oct. 18. Nashville’s nine points leave the club seventh in the Central, ahead of only the Chicago Blackhawks.
Who Are The Expected Starting Goalies?
Mackenzie Blackwood is listed as the probable starter for Colorado, while Justus Annunen is projected to get the start for Nashville. Both designations remain projections until the lineups are finalized at warmups. Annunen and the Predators have allowed 28 goals in nine games for a .894 save percentage, while Blackwood’s club has conceded 33 goals across 11 games with a .898 team save percentage.
What Is The Colorado Injury Situation?
The Avalanche will be without center Nicolas Roy, who is out with a lower-body injury and has a projected return date of Oct. 28. Forward Zachary L’Heureux remains on injured reserve with an upper-body injury and is not expected back until Nov. 7. Nashville’s injury report did not list any players.
By The Numbers
- Goals: Colorado 47, Nashville 23
- Points: Colorado 132, Nashville 65
- Shots on goal: Colorado 330, Nashville 223
- Shooting percentage: Colorado 14.2%, Nashville 10.3%
- Average goals against: Colorado 3.00, Nashville 3.11
- Save percentage: Colorado .898, Nashville .894
- Power-play goals: Colorado 7, Nashville 8
- Penalty minutes: Colorado 94, Nashville 65
- Faceoff percentage: Colorado 47.2%, Nashville 48.7%
Key Matchup
Nathan MacKinnon, who leads Colorado with 13 assists and 20 points, will face a Nashville defense anchored by Roman Josi, the team’s assists leader with eight. The Avalanche have scored 47 goals in 11 games, nearly double Nashville’s 23 in nine games, and Colorado’s 14.2% shooting percentage outpaces the Predators’ 10.3%. For Nashville to slow that production, Josi and the Predators’ penalty kill will need to limit Colorado’s power play, which has converted seven goals on the man advantage so far. Steven Stamkos leads Nashville in goals (four) and points (10), giving the Predators a scoring threat if the game stays close.
What To Watch
Colorado is looking to build on back-to-back results after splitting its last two games, including Friday’s win over Tampa Bay covered in the Lightning vs. Avalanche preview. The Avalanche have also faced Pittsburgh recently, a matchup detailed in the Penguins vs. Avalanche preview, and dropped a shootout decision discussed in the Stars beat Avalanche in shootout recap.
Nashville is trying to avoid a fourth straight home-or-road skid after consecutive losses to Vegas, San Jose and Boston sandwiched one win. With both teams within a handful of points of each other in the Central Division standings, Sunday’s result carries early-season weight for positioning. The season series between the two clubs begins with this game.
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