Nashville Predators vs. Colorado Avalanche Preview: Nashville Hustle

The Predators continue their Western Conference homestand tonight with a contest against the Colorado Avalanche.

The Nashville Predators

After a riotous affair on Sunday evening, the Predators are looking for another win against the Avalanche. Our most favorite Viktor Arvidsson remains on IR, along with P.K. Subban and Kyle Turris. Zac Rinaldo saw limited minutes on the fourth line Sunday, and Calle Jarnkrok shifted up to center the second line.

Pekka Rinne looked stellar on Sunday, but young Juuse Saros most certainly needs some starts soon or he will become increasingly rusty. I already worry that Rinne is getting too many starts.

Dan Hamhuis continues to munch away at big minutes with Mattias Ekholm playing on his off-side. We’d all like to see more hat tricks and we’d all like to see Kevin Fiala put the puck behind the goaltender instead of into his chest.

The Colorado Avalanche

The Avalanche are scoring at a ridiculous pace this season. Mikko Rantanen needs to calm himself down after putting up some silly points earlier this month. He’s got 38 on the season (10 goals, 28 assists) and Nathan MacKinnon is close behind with 35 points (15 goals, 20 assists). Gabriel Landeskog has 25 points (14 goals, 12 assists) and Tyson Barrie leads all Avalanche defensemen with 20 points (3 goals, 17 assists).

Our favorite Samuel Girard has 9 points this season (1 goal, 8 assists) and young Vladislav Kamenev is carving himself a role on the lower Colorado lines. He has 5 points (2 goals, 3 assists).

Both Semyon Varlamov and Philipp Grubauer look good this season. Varlamov has done some solid work in net, posting a .926 Sv% in 15 contests. Grubauer has a .907 Sv% over 8 games.

With a 13-6-4 record, the Avalanche are having themselves a solid season. They sit behind Nashville and Minnesota in the Central Division standings with 30 points.

Memories and Feelings

-Things between the Avs and the Preds are getting to be a bit chippy. Will tonight be bumpy?

-I still feel a bit apprehensive about the injuries the Preds have. Will Colorado be able to take advantage of them?

Reasons to Watch

-The Bridge is going up on a Tuesday!

-Who will be the next Predator to get a hat trick?

-Will Filip Forsberg victimize another Avalanche defenseman tonight?

Tonight’s Theme Song

“Run to the Hills” by Iron Maiden.

Avs Social Media

-@Avalanche

-@MileHighHockey: Colorado’s SBNation Affiliate is Mile High Hockey.

Tonight’s Drink of Choice

Could we all use a bit of a break from drinks after the Thanksgiving holiday? Probably.

How to Watch

Tonight’s contest will be on FS-TN with puck drop at 7:00 Central. Hear the radio call on 102.5 The Game.