Nice season for the Avalanche. They did well. But things end here for them. Colorado has played heavily favored Nashville tough in this opening-round Stanley Cup series, but a 3-2 home loss two days ago puts the Avalanche in a 3-1 hole that they aren't going to emerge from.

I don't see Colorado having much left to fend off the Predators especially now going on the road. The Predators have been near unbeatable at home during the Stanley Cup going 15-2 in their last 17 playoff games at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators have outscored the Avalance, 10-6, in their two home playoff games during this series.

And now the Avalanche are down to third-string goalie Andrew Hammond with both Semyon Varlamov and Jonathan Bernier out with injuries.

Nashville has scored three or more goals in nine of its last 10 games, including all four games in this series. The Predators are playing well on special teams, too, and Pekka Rinne is at his best at home with a 2.10 GAA home playoff average for his career.

The Predators have dominated the Avalanche winning 13 of the past 14 meetings.