Avalanche at Predators
THE STORY: The Colorado Avalanche benefited from a home-and-home sweep of the reeling Minnesota Wild to pull into a three-way tie for eighth place in the Western Conference standings. Winners of six of eight, the Avalanche will look to keep the good times going when they invade Music City for a date with the Nashville Predators on Thursday. Nashville suffered its first regulation home loss in 13 games when it dropped a 5-4 decision to the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, ALT, FSS
ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (35-29-4): Fueling Colorado's ascent in the standings has been G Semyon Varlamov, who has won five of his last six starts. The 23-year-old Russian nearly recorded his second shutout in a row and third in six games before Devin Setoguchi spoiled his bid by converting a penalty shot in the third period of Tuesday's lopsided 7-1 triumph. Varlamov struggled in his lone meeting with the Predators this season, yielding four goals on 26 shots in a 4-1 loss on Jan. 10.
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (38-21-7): Prior to Tuesday's loss, the Predators had collected 22 of a possible 24 points (10-0-2) at home. Starting that streak was a 3-2 home victory over Colorado on Jan. 12. C David Legwand tallied twice in that game, but has registered just three goals in his subsequent 21 contests. G Pekka Rinne was unceremoniously pulled in the third period after permitting five goals on Tuesday. The 29-year-old Finn has fared well versus Colorado, winning nine of 12 career contests.
OVERTIME:
1. LW Jamie McGinn has grown comfortable in his new surroundings. Acquired from San Jose at the trade deadline, McGinn has collected three goals and an assist in his last two matches.
2. Nashville won both meetings this season and the last seven overall against Colorado.