Avalanche vs. Predators: Central Division Clash Caps Regular-Season Series
The Colorado Avalanche are deep into a seven-game homestand, and Friday night brings a familiar foe to Ball Arena: the Nashville Predators. This marks the fourth and final meeting of the regular season between these Central Division rivals, and if the first three matchups are any indication, we’re in for another tightly contested battle.
Colorado holds the edge in the season series, having taken two of the first three games. The Avs blanked Nashville 3-0 back in November, dropped a shootout heartbreaker in Tennessee in early December, then bounced back with a 4-2 win at home just four days later. Now, with the series finale on deck, both teams are looking to build momentum as the playoff race intensifies.
Avalanche Fall in OT Thriller to Maple Leafs
The Avs are coming off a 4-3 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday night, a game that showcased both their offensive firepower and their resilience. Cale Makar, Brock Nelson, and Martin Necas each found the back of the net, while Nathan MacKinnon continued his MVP-caliber season with three assists.
Toronto struck first, with Easton Cowan sneaking one in from the bottom of the left circle midway through the opening frame. But Colorado answered quickly - and emphatically. Makar evened things up with a laser from the right circle, set up by a dazzling spin move and feed from Necas that left Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe spinning in his own right.
Less than two minutes later, the Avs capitalized on the power play. Nelson ripped home a one-timer from the slot off a crisp pass from MacKinnon, giving Colorado a 2-1 lead heading into the first intermission.
Toronto came out swinging in the second. Bobby McMann tied it up on a breakaway early in the period, and Auston Matthews gave the Leafs a 3-2 lead midway through the third with a patented rush shot from the left circle.
But Colorado wouldn’t go quietly. Necas, parked at the doorstep, buried a feed from MacKinnon to knot things up once again.
The game-winner came in overtime, with William Nylander finding space in the right circle and snapping it past Alexandar Georgiev to seal the deal for Toronto.
Star Power on Display
Nathan MacKinnon is operating on another level right now. He leads the NHL in goals (36), sits second in points (81), and ranks third in assists (45).
His performance against Toronto - his 313th career multi-point game - tied him with Peter Stastny for the second-most in franchise history. That’s elite company.
Cale Makar continues to redefine what it means to be an offensive defenseman. He leads all NHL blueliners in points (53), is tied for the league lead in assists among defensemen (39), and ranks third in goals (14) from the back end. Across all skaters, he’s tied for seventh in assists - a testament to his vision and playmaking ability.
Martin Necas is quietly putting together a monster season of his own. He’s tied for eighth in the league in points (57), and his chemistry with MacKinnon and Makar is becoming a serious problem for opposing defenses.
Predators Edge Oilers in OT
Nashville enters this matchup fresh off a thrilling 4-3 overtime win against the Edmonton Oilers. Steven Stamkos got the party started early, scoring just 2:45 into the game. Edmonton’s Zach Hyman responded with a power-play goal late in the first, and the back-and-forth battle was on.
Erik Haula gave the Preds a 2-1 lead early in the second, but Leon Draisaitl and Hyman struck back for Edmonton - the latter netting his second power-play goal of the night - to put the Oilers up 3-2. Roman Josi answered less than a minute later, tying it up once again.
Josi wasn’t done, either. He capped off the night with the overtime winner, sealing a big win for Nashville at home.
Players to Watch: Avs vs. Preds
Nathan MacKinnon vs. Nashville: He’s been a force against the Preds throughout his career, tallying 51 points (21 goals, 30 assists) in 41 regular-season games. Add in 12 points in 10 playoff contests, and it’s clear MacKinnon loves playing this team.
Brock Nelson has been a reliable contributor against Nashville, with 18 points (8 goals, 10 assists) in 23 games. He’s also red-hot on the power play, leading the NHL with four power-play goals since January 1st.
Cale Makar has racked up 25 points (7 goals, 18 assists) in just 18 regular-season games versus the Preds, plus 10 more in four playoff games. Simply put, he’s a matchup nightmare.
On the other side, Ryan O’Reilly is Nashville’s leading scorer with 39 points and 26 assists. Steven Stamkos leads the team in goals (20), while Filip Forsberg is second in both points (32) and goals (16). These three will be leaned on heavily if the Preds hope to steal a win in Denver.
Faceoff Factor
Don’t overlook the impact of Jack Drury in the circle. His 58.2% faceoff win rate ranks fifth in the league among players with at least 500 draws. Possession matters - especially against a team like Colorado that thrives with the puck - and Drury’s ability to win key faceoffs could be a difference-maker.
What’s at Stake
For Colorado, this is about bouncing back and continuing their strong run at home. For Nashville, it’s a chance to even the season series and grab a crucial divisional win. Both teams have playoff aspirations, and games like this - tight, physical, and loaded with star power - often come down to execution in the little moments.
Puck drops at 7 p.m. MT at Ball Arena. Expect speed, skill, and a whole lot of intensity.