PREMIUM
Rogers' *10* TOP TOTALS TICKET >> 19-10 NHL Run!
(NHL) Colorado vs. Nashville,
Total: 5.50 | -115.00 Over
Result: Loss
Total: 5.50 | -115.00 Over
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Avalanche went from the NHL's worst team a year ago (by a wide margin) to a team that went 43-30-9 this season, while earning the West's final wild card spot with 95 points (one more than the Blues' 94!). However, the Avs drew the Nashville Predators in the first round, a team which itself was an 8-seed in the West last season but made an impressive Stanley Cup run that didn't end until Game 6 of the Finals! Nashville built off last year's playoff success and enters this year's playoffs as the team with the most points (117) of any NHL club in the regular season. Game 1 of this series went to Nashville 5-2 on Thursday, as the Presidents' Trophy-winning Predators earned their 10th straight victory over Colorado.
Colorado: The Avalanche weren't in awe of the Predators and seized a 2-1 lead early in the second period, before folding. "I think the first two periods we outplayed them for big parts of it," Colorado head coach Jared Bednar said. "We've got a big one here on Saturday. We're going to try to steal that one and get them back to the Pepsi Center where we're really good." The Avalanche's top line of Mikko Rantanen, potential Hart Trophy candidate Nathan MacKinnon and captain Gabriel Landeskog were not too good in the opener, however, finishing with a collective minus-6 rating. MacKinnon led the etam during the regular season in goals (39) and points (97), Rantanen was second in points (84) and Landeskog third (62).
Nashville: Fi lip Forsberg (team-high 64 points) scored twice in the opener, giving him 17 points (10 goals, seven assists) in his last 12 games overall and 28 points (17 goals, 11 assists) in the postseason to match defenseman Shea Weber and David Legwand for the most in franchise history. The 23-year-old Swede has flustered Colorado to the tune of 15 goals and 11 assists in 21 career encounters. Ryan Johansen notched a pair of assists to boost his point total to 10 (three goals, seven assists) in his past 11 games, while fellow forward Austin Watson joined Colton Sissons by scoring and setting up a goal, giving Watson eight points (five goals, three assists) in his past 15 outings.Viktor Arvidsson led the team with 29 goals during the regular season. Likely Vezina Trophy finalist Pekka Rinne turned aside 25 shots in Game 1 to move past Antti Niemi for the most playoff wins by a goaltender born in Finland.
The pick: Pelkka Rinne was a big reason Nashville advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals last year and off a terrific regular season (42-13-4, 2.31 GAA & .927 SP), looked 'ready for primetime " in Game 1 (25 saves & a .926 SP). Nashville is now 29-9-2 at Bridgestone Arena, where it is allowing only 2.42 GPG. Colorado is averaging a modest 2.67 GPG on the road. Make the Under a 10* play.
Colorado: The Avalanche weren't in awe of the Predators and seized a 2-1 lead early in the second period, before folding. "I think the first two periods we outplayed them for big parts of it," Colorado head coach Jared Bednar said. "We've got a big one here on Saturday. We're going to try to steal that one and get them back to the Pepsi Center where we're really good." The Avalanche's top line of Mikko Rantanen, potential Hart Trophy candidate Nathan MacKinnon and captain Gabriel Landeskog were not too good in the opener, however, finishing with a collective minus-6 rating. MacKinnon led the etam during the regular season in goals (39) and points (97), Rantanen was second in points (84) and Landeskog third (62).
Nashville: Fi lip Forsberg (team-high 64 points) scored twice in the opener, giving him 17 points (10 goals, seven assists) in his last 12 games overall and 28 points (17 goals, 11 assists) in the postseason to match defenseman Shea Weber and David Legwand for the most in franchise history. The 23-year-old Swede has flustered Colorado to the tune of 15 goals and 11 assists in 21 career encounters. Ryan Johansen notched a pair of assists to boost his point total to 10 (three goals, seven assists) in his past 11 games, while fellow forward Austin Watson joined Colton Sissons by scoring and setting up a goal, giving Watson eight points (five goals, three assists) in his past 15 outings.Viktor Arvidsson led the team with 29 goals during the regular season. Likely Vezina Trophy finalist Pekka Rinne turned aside 25 shots in Game 1 to move past Antti Niemi for the most playoff wins by a goaltender born in Finland.
The pick: Pelkka Rinne was a big reason Nashville advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals last year and off a terrific regular season (42-13-4, 2.31 GAA & .927 SP), looked 'ready for primetime " in Game 1 (25 saves & a .926 SP). Nashville is now 29-9-2 at Bridgestone Arena, where it is allowing only 2.42 GPG. Colorado is averaging a modest 2.67 GPG on the road. Make the Under a 10* play.
