Nashville Predators (8-16-6) @ Colorado Avalanche (17-14-0)

7pm MT | ball arena | View: Height, Height+ | Listen: Altitude Sports Radio (92.5 FM)

The Avalanche host the Nashville Predators in their second straight divisional game on Saturday. This is the third of four meetings between the teams as each team defended home ice. On November 2nd, the Avs traveled to Nashville, where they lost 5-2, but got revenge with a 3-2 win on November 11th.

Last result (COL): UTA 4, COL 1

Last result (NSH): NSH 4, DAL 1

A home loss to Utah

The Avalanche lost 4-1 to the Utah Hockey Club on Thursday at Ball Arena. Utah had several lucky balls that ended up in the Avs’ goal, and the Burgundy and Blue didn’t capitalize on their scoring opportunities. Nathan MacKinnon scored his 11th goal of the season and 946th career point, tying Michel Goulet for the third-most goals in franchise history. Dylan Guenther opened the scoring for Utah at 8:26 of the first period with a shot from the right circle through traffic before Vladislav Kolyachonok doubled Utah’s lead with a deflected shot at 8:05 of the second period. Guenther scored his second goal of the game, giving Utah a 3-0 lead on the power play at 9:52 of the third period with a one-timer in the left circle. At 15:26 of the third period, MacKinnon ended Utah’s shutout push with a wrist shot from the left circle through Artturi Lehkonen’s front screen. Utah extended its three-goal lead on Kevin Stenlund’s empty-net goal at 15:49 of the third period.

A mile high on the leaderboards

Nate the Great

MacKinnon leads the NHL in assists (36) and points (47).

All greetings Cale

Among NHL defensemen, Cale Makar is first in points (36), tied for first in assists (27) and second in goals (9).

Moose crossing

Mikko Rantanen ranks third in the NHL in points (43) and fourth in goals (18).

Story

The Avalanche are 42-41-14 in 97 regular season games against the Predators. They met twice in the playoffs, including in the first round in 2022, with the Avalanche defeating the Predators in four games en route to winning the Stanley Cup.

A big win in Dallas

The Predators defeated the Dallas Stars 4-1 on Thursday at American Airlines Center. After a scoreless first period, Nashville’s Ryan O’Reilly scored the first goal 11:40 into the second period. Tommy Novak doubled Nashville’s lead at 13:33 of the middle frame before O’Reilly scored his second goal of the game at 14:39 to make it 3-0. Dallas’ Lian Bichsel made it 3-1 at 10:34 of the third period before Nashville’s Zachary L’Heureux responded with a scoreless goal at 16:47 of the third period.

Produce against the predators

In 36 regular season games against Nashville, MacKinnon has recorded 43 points (17g/26a), including three points (1g/2a) in two games against Nashville this season. He scored 12 points (8g/4a) in 10 playoff games against the Predators.

Makar posted 22 points (6g/16a) in 13 regular season games against Nashville, in addition to 10 points (3g/7a) in four playoff games.

Rantanen had 28 points (11g/17a) in 26 regular season games against the Predators and nine assists in 10 playoff games.

Music City Scorer

Roman Josi leads Nashville in assists (16) and points (23).

Filip Forsberg leads the Predators in goals (10) and is second in points (19).

Jonathan Marchessault and O’Reilly are tied for second in goals (7) and assists (10) and third in points (17).

A numbers game

90

MacKinnon and Rantanen have combined for 90 points (29g/61a) this season, the most of any duo in the NHL.

25:13

Makar’s 25:13 ice time per game is the fifth most in the NHL.

.844

Newly signed goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood has an .844 save percentage on dangerous shots, fifth best in the NHL.

Quote that left its mark

“I felt like they were probably our best all-around line in terms of energy, time in the offensive zone and what they created.”

– Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar on the performance of the Joel Kiviranta-Parker Kelly-Logan O’Connor line on Thursday