Nashville Predators vs. Colorado Avalanche Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 4/28/2022

Time: 9 p.m. ET

Venue: Ball Arena, Denver, CO

Where to watch: Bally Sports South, ALT

DraftKings: Avalanche -350, Predators +275

BetMGM: Avalanche -350, Predators +275

Caesars: Avalanche -357, Predators +280

Predators: 44-29-7

Avalanche: 56-18-6

The Colorado Avalanche returned to form in a resounding way on Tuesday night. They not only bounced back at home to end a four-game losing streak, but the Avs ended the Blues’ 16-game point streak with a 5-3 win in regulation and put some reminders in folks’ minds that the Avs are, in fact, not in danger.

And now with the Avs back to playing well, there’s no way I can see them losing to the Nashville Predators especially now that goalie Jusse Saros is officially out for the final two games after suffering an injury late in Nashville’s 5-4 overtime loss to Calgary on Tuesday night.

But this is primarily about Colorado and how they were able to return home and put up five against the Blues in a performance that I think desperately needed to happen as it pertains to getting back in a groove before the playoffs.

Artturi Lehkonen had the go-ahead goal in the third, and Alex Newhook and J.T. Compher had two assists to end the Blues’ point streak at 14-0-2.

"They've been playing awesome," Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson said. "They have so many guys with so many points and three super deep lines, and they're not even fully healthy yet. Neither are we. It was a hard-fought game, had a playoff atmosphere, and I think that's probably what we needed just to get back feeling the way we needed to." 

But what’s more important for the Avalanche is the recent slip-up with the Florida Panthers has once again opened the door for the Presidents Trophy. Colorado tied their record for most points in a season with 118 and are two behind the Panthers for the top spot in the league.

"I don't think there's such a thing as a perfect game," Johnson said. "I think there's always going to be some lapses throughout the course of a hockey game. It's a game mistakes, and there's always going to be some made. Some are gonna cost you. Some aren't. I think what we got tonight is what we needed. I think it was a game that was important for us to play the right way, and we did for the majority of the game. And it felt it felt good. I think the guys needed that one."

The Avs are likely to be playing well enough to take down a battered Nashville team, but if this was the Predators of years past, we might be thinking they would fold. But Nashville has offense and is benefitting from 40-goal seasons from Filip Forsberg and Matt Duchene, and of course, that guy leading all defensemen in scoring, Roman Josi.

The Predators clinched a playoff spot despite the loss to Calgary by 0.1 seconds remaining in regulation, and eventually losing in overtime.

"I think it's a real tribute to our players," Nashville coach John Hynes said. "We certainly deserve to be in the playoffs, the way that I think we played all year and the way the guys have battled. No one picked us to be here. We talked about writing our own story and having a strong team identity and a strong team culture, along with a lot of talent. They worked their [tails] off for 80 games to get here."

David Rittich may see some playoff time, and if he does, he’s going to need all the reps he can get in these last two games. This one, in particular, is a great tune-up for him. Unfortunately, he’s going to get shellacked in this one. Avalanche win 5-2

Predators are 5-1 this season after losing four of five.

Predators are 30-16 following an over in their last game.

Avalanche are 17-6 following a division game this season.

Avalanche are 56-18 off a home win the past three seasons.

Predators:

Filip Forsberg -- Mikael Granlund -- Matt Duchene

Nick Cousins -- Ryan Johansen -- Philip Tomasino

Yakov Trenin -- Colton Sissons -- Tanner Jeannot

Mathieu Olivier -- Michael McCarron -- Luke Kunin

Roman Josi -- Dante Fabbro

Mattias Ekholm -- Alexandre Carrier

Mark Borowiecki -- Matt Benning

David Rittich

Avalanche:

Artturi Lehkonen -- Nathan MacKinnon -- Valeri Nichushkin

Logan O'Connor -- Nazem Kadri -- Andre Burakovsky

Alex Newhook -- J.T. Compher -- Nicolas Aube-Kubel

Andrew Cogliano -- Nico Sturm -- Darren Helm

Cale Makar -- Devon Toews

Samuel Girard -- Josh Manson

Erik Johnson -- Bowen Byram

Darcy Kuemper

Points: Roman Josi -- 93

Goals: Matt Duchene -- 42

Assists: Roman Josi -- 71

Goalie: Jusse Saros -- 38-25-3, 2.64 GAA, .918 SV%

Points: Mikko Rantanen -- 91

Goals: Mikko Rantanen -- 36

Assists: Cale Makar -- 58

Goalie: Darcy Kuemper -- 36-12-3, 2.51 GAA, .922 SV%