Game 36 Preview: Colorado Avalanche at Nashville Predators

Coming off an almost win last night, the Avalanche head into the land of the Grand Ole Opry to take on the Nashville Predators once again. The last two meetings with the Preds have shown two completely different style games: one, a wide-open score fest and the other, a tight one-goal overtime victory. The Avs came out on top in both games.

Nashville hasn't been doing all that hot down the stretch. They had a nice three-game winning streak snapped by a three-game losing steak. Tonight they look to right their ship against the basement-dwelling Colorado boys. It's do-or-die time for the Preds as the playoffs are slipping out of view.

Last night saw the return of David van der Gulik and Brad Malone to the Avalanche line up. Neither were that noticeable, which isn't a bad thing from your fourth liners. They did give Patrick Bordeleau room to be a human wrecking ball, and to the surprise of some out there, I'm sure, it was all clean. It would be great to have repeat of that tonight.

Aaron Babooshka Palushaj was also all over the place, and I don't even mean sprawling on the ice. He had some dangerous looks. The other third-liners were also active with John Mitchell catching a post and Cody McLeod doing what he does and agitating the shit out of everyone.

I think it's time for the captain to really step up, though. It's not like he's been bad, but we need that "wow" from him that he gave night in and night out last season. And we need more than just Tyson Barrie generating offense from the blueline. It was great to see some bombs flying from the point last night; if they can keep doing that, the goals are bound to happen.

Game is at 6 pm MDT, 12 am GMT.