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Game 8 Preview: Predators @ Avalanche

After splitting a weekend back-to-back, the Avalanche (4-3-0) return home to begin a divisional stretch starting with the Nashville Predators (2-5-0).

By Steven W Page
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Despite only taking home one win from the weekend's back-to-back, the Avs dominated both the Jets and Coyotes. If not for an outstanding shutout effort by Michael Hutchinson, the Avs would have won both games. This is an encouraging sign for a time that has often played down to their opposition over the years. Despite the elevated play, the Avs dropped their first divisional game of the year, a feat that they will want to put behind them as they enter a four game stretch of divisional opponents.

The Avs will start that stretch against the Nashville Predators. The Predators made a big splash this summer when they exchanged all-star defensemen with the Montreal Canadiens, bringing controversial star P.K. Subban to the music city. Subban has hit it off in Nashville, racking up points on the power play. However, the Predators themselves have struggled in the early going, especially on the road, posting a 0-4-1 record in their first five road games. They'll look to turn that trend when they come to Denver Tuesday night.

LINES

Grigorenko-MacKinnon-Rantannen

Landeskog-Duchene-Iginla

R. Bourque-Soderberg-Comeau

Martinsen-Mitchell-Colborne

Zadorov-Johnson

Weirchioch-Barrie

Beauchemin-Tyutin

Varlamov

Pickard

NOTES

- Gabriel Bourque was sent down to the minors on Monday to get more work in.

- The Predators own the league's best power play at 35.7%.

- While The Predators have thrived on the power play, they have faltered at even strength, only scoring eight 5-on-5 goals through eight games, the fewest in the NHL.

GAME INFO

Game time: 7pm MT

TV: ALT