Predators at Avalanche
The surging Colorado Avalanche look to extend their point streak to double digits and end another team’s big run when they host the NHL-best Nashville Predators on Friday night in a matchup of two of league’s hottest teams. The Avalanche improved their point streak to nine games (6-0-3) with a 4-1 victory at St. Louis on Thursday and face a major challenge against Nashville, which is 12-0-1 in its last 13.
“That’s a playoff-type game, as close as you can get to the playoffs without being there,” Colorado coach Jared Bednar told reporters after Thursday’s victory. “Our guys played with great urgency, good commitment and intensity. It was far from perfect, but when you play with that type of urgency and intensity, good things will happen for you.” Center Nathan MacKinnon remained red hot with two goals and an assist for the Avalanche against St. Louis and has accumulated 10 goals and 10 assists during a 10-game point streak as he prepares to take on Nashville, which has beaten Colorado nine straight times. The Predators rallied in the third period for a 3-2 victory at Arizona on Thursday and have allowed seven goals in their last five outings. Nashville also owns a 13-game point streak on the road (10-0-3) to match a franchise record and haven’t lost in regulation away from home since Jan. 2 at Vegas.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS Tennessee (Nashville), Altitude (Colorado)
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (46-14-10): The top point producers were all kept off the scoresheet Thursday as rookie Kevin Fiala registered his 23rd goal while center Kyle Turris and defenseman Ryan Ellis also tallied. Turris, acquired from Ottawa early in the season, had three points Thursday and owns nine in his last nine games while center Ryan Johansen played his 500th NHL contest. Right wing Viktor Arvidsson leads the team in goals (26) along with points (52) and defenseman P.K. Subban is next with 50 points, but has been blanked in five straight games.
ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (38-24-8): MacKinnon, who boasts 85 points to sit fourth in the league, and his linemates Mikko Rantanen and captain Gabriel Landeskog continue to play like the best trio in the NHL. Rantanan had four points Thursday and owns 10 of his 74 in the last four contests while Landeskog posted three assists against St. Louis and has eight points in his past 11 contests. Bednar said he would speak with goalie Semyon Varlamov on the plane Thursday to make his decision on whether he goes with the veteran again or rookie Spencer Martin on Friday.
OVERTIME
3. Predators F Calle Jarnkrok (16 goals, 35 points) will miss the rest of the regular season with an upper-body injury.
2. Colorado D Tyson Barrie has notched at least a point in eight straight games with four goals and seven assists in that span.
3. Nashville G Pekka Rinne won his 10th straight game with 32 saves Thursday, which could give Friday’s start to backup G Juuse Saros.