NHL: Nashville Predators vs Colorado Avalanche odds, picks, and predictions

The Nashville Predators (44-29-7) visit Ball Arena on Thursday to face the Colorado Avalanche (56-18-6). The puck will be dropped at 9 p.m. ET (ESPN+). The Predators have already been assigned to one of the eight Western Conference playoff positions, but they may still modify their seeding. A win here would go a long way toward avoiding a first-round matchup with the top-seeded Avs. The Avalanche have clinched the top spot in the Western Conference, so it will be interesting to see how motivated they are. The Avs don't want to start the playoffs off on a bad note, but they also don't want to give the Predators everything in case they meet for a greater stakes matchup next week.

Predicted goalies for Nashville Predators vs. Colorado Avalanche

Darcy Kuemper against. David Rittich (5-3-4, 3.56 GAA,.883 SV percent) (37-12-3, 2.52 GAA, &.922 SV percent , 5 SO). Due to a left leg injury, starting goaltender Juuse Saros will miss the final two regular-season games, thus veteran Rittich will lead the squad to the finish line. In two starts and five appearances in April, he is 0-3 with a 4.57 GAA.865 SV%.

With a win over the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday, Kuemper ended a three-game losing streak, turning aside 29 of the 32 shots he faced. In nine starts this month, he's 6-3-0 with a 3.23 GAA &.912 SV%.

Nashville Predators vs Colorado Avalanche picks and predictions

Prediction: Avalanche 5, Predators 2