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

The Nashville Predators and Colorado Avalanche face a battle in Game 1 of the Western Conference First Round NHL Playoffs at Ball Arena on Tuesday. The Nashville Predators have lost five of their last seven games heading into the playoffs. The Colorado Avalanche have lost six of their last seven games heading into the playoffs. The Nashville Predators are scoring on 24.4 percent of their power play attempts, averaging 3.2 goals per game. Nashville is led by Matt Duchene's 43 goals, Roman Josi's 73 assists, and Filip Forsberg's 226 shots on goal. The Nashville Predators allow 3 goals per game on defense and kill 79.2 percent of their opponents' power plays. On 2,107 shots faced, Juuse Saros has allowed 173 goals, while David Rittich has allowed 49 goals on 431 shots.

The Colorado Avalanche are scoring on 24 percent of their power play attempts, averaging 3.8 goals per game. With 36 goals, Nazem Kadri has 59 assists, and Nathan MacKinnon has 299 shots on goal, Colorado is in the first place. The Colorado Avalanche are allowing 2.8 goals per game on defense and killing 79.7% of their opponents' power plays. Darcy Kuemper has 138 goals against him on 1,754 shots, while Pavel Francouz has 51 goals against him on 608 shots.

From start to finish, the Colorado Avalanche have been one of the best teams in the league, and you have to wonder whether their recent struggles are simply due to a lack of drive. For obvious reasons, the Avs will be heavy favorites at home. The Avs, on the other hand, completed the regular season with some dreadful performance, including an overtime loss to the Predators only a few days ago. In fact, the Predators have swept the Avalanche in their last three meetings.

Colorado Avalanche vs Nashville Predators picks and predictions

My Pick: Colorado Avalanche