NHL Game Preview: Colorado Avalanche (21-2-6) vs. Nashville Predators (10-14-4)

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The Colorado Avalanche (21-2-6), atop the Central Division with a blistering 10-1-4 road mark and the NHL’s No. 1 offense (3.97 GPG), invade Bridgestone Arena to face the Nashville Predators (10-14-4), who are scrambling for relevance in the standings amid a four-game skid and bottom-10 scoring (2.48 GPG). This rematch—Colorado’s 3-0 shutout victory on Nov. 22—pits Nathan MacKinnon’s MVP-caliber dominance against a Predators blue line desperate to contain the Avalanche’s transition game (No. 3 in rush goals). With Nashville’s penalty kill ranking 28th (76.7%) against Colorado’s lethal power play (28.6%, No. 3), special teams could erupt in a total pushing over. The Avs seek a season sweep; expect Makar-MacKinnon synergy to test Juuse Saros amid Nashville’s injury-thinned depth.

Game Details

Venue: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee

Puckdrop: 9:30 p.m. ET

Broadcast: TNT / HBO Max / truTV / ALT

Team Records

TeamOverall RecordHome RecordRoad RecordCentral Division Stand
Colorado Avalanche21-2-611-1-210-1-41st
Nashville Predators10-14-46-8-24-6-27th

Colorado boasts the league’s best points percentage (.833) and +41 differential, ranking No. 2 in shots per game (33.1). Nashville languishes at No. 31 in GPG and No. 25 in GAA (3.40), with a -26 mark.

Injury Report

Injuries sting Nashville’s forward and defensive corps more severely, forcing over-reliance on veterans like Roman Josi (27+ minutes lately), while Colorado monitors its backup netminder.

TeamPlayerPositionStatusInjury DetailsEstimated Return
Colorado AvalancheGavin BrindleyCOut (IR)Lower BodyDecember 9
Logan O’ConnorRWOut (IR-LT)HipDecember 13
Scott WedgewoodGDay-to-DayUndisclosedDecember 9
Nashville PredatorsCole SmithLWOut (IR)Upper BodyTBD
Justin BarronDOut (IR)Lower BodyDecember 15
Zachary L’HeureuxLWOut (IR)Lower BodyDecember 9
Ozzy WiesblattRWOut (IR)Upper BodyFebruary 26
Nick PerbixDDay-to-DayUpper BodyDecember 9

Brindley’s absence (4G-3A in 18 GP) thins Colorado’s bottom-six; O’Connor’s LTIR (soft tissue/hip) adds uncertainty to wing depth. Nashville’s Barron (0G-4A) and Wiesblatt (1G-3A) exacerbate blue-line woes, while L’Heureux’s rookie promise is shelved.

Recent Team Forms

Colorado’s road mastery (10-1-4) fuels a four-game win streak, outscoring foes 15-9 with shutdown defense (2.0 GA in last three). Nashville’s skid (0-4-0) has yielded 18 goals against, highlighting goaltending volatility (Saros .893 SV% in December).

Colorado Avalanche Last 5 Games:

DateOpponentResultKey Notes
Dec. 7@ PHIW 3-2MacKinnon 2A; Blackwood 25 saves, rally from 2-1 down
Dec. 6@ NYRW 3-2 OTMacKinnon GWG; 0/2 PP but 42 SOG overwhelm
Dec. 4@ NYIL 3-6Sole loss; Necas-like burst from Isles, 38 SOG
Dec. 2vs. VANW 3-1Makar 2A; Strong PK (1/1), 31 SOG
Nov. 29vs. MTLW 7-2Offensive clinic; 1/4 PP, 36 SOG

Form: 4-1-0 (ATS: 4-1). Avalanche 9-1-0 in last 10, averaging 3.8 GPG.

Nashville Predators Last 5 Games:

DateOpponentResultKey Notes
Dec. 6@ CARL 3-6Forsberg G; Saros pulled after 4GA, defensive meltdown
Dec. 4@ FLAW 2-1 OTSaros 35 saves; Clutch OT win pre-skid
Dec. 2vs. CGYW 5-1O’Reilly 2A; 0/3 PP but dominant shots (28-28)
Nov. 29vs. WPGL 2-5Evangelista G; 1/4 PP, 23 SOG
Nov. 28@ CHIW 4-3Haula GWG; Comeback, 29 SOG

Form: 2-3-0 (ATS: 2-3). Predators 2-3 SU in last five home, averaging 3.2 GA/GP on skid.

Series History

Since Nashville’s 1998 inception, Colorado holds a slim regular-season edge (44-50-5-1 overall), but the Predators lead all-time including playoffs (55-50-5). Avalanche have won four of the last six, including a 3-0 blanking on Nov. 22.

All-Time Regular Season: Avalanche lead 44-50-5-1 (46.5% win rate)

Last 10 Meetings: Avalanche 6-4-0

Recent Results:

Nov. 22, 2025: Avalanche 3-0 (at NSH; shutout)

Feb. 22, 2025: Predators 2-1 (at NSH)

Dec. 14, 2024: Avalanche 5-2 (vs. NSH)

Nov. 11, 2024: Avalanche 3-2 (vs. NSH)

Nov. 2, 2024: Predators 5-2 (at NSH)

Mar. 30, 2024: Avalanche 7-4 (vs. NSH)

Series averages 6.2 goals, with overs in 6 of last 10. Home teams have won 7 of last 8; Avalanche 4-1 SU in last five road vs. Nashville.

Key Player Matchups

Colorado’s stars feast on Nashville’s depleted D; watch for rush threats vs. forecheck battles.

Nathan MacKinnon (COL, 24G-25A-49P) vs. Ryan O’Reilly (NSH, 9G-12A-21P): MacKinnon’s league-leading pace (1.69 PPG) shreds PKs; O’Reilly’s two-way anchor (58.3% FO) shadows, but MacK has 7P in last five vs. NSH. Edge: Avalanche—MacK’s rush dominance.

Cale Makar (COL, 10G-26A-36P) vs. Roman Josi (NSH, 8G-15A-23P): Makar’s puck-moving (team-high 26A) exploits gaps; Josi’s veteran shot (2.1 SOG/GP) counters on PP. Edge: Toss-up; Makar’s +15 rating.

Mikko Rantanen (COL, 15G-18A-33P) vs. Filip Forsberg (NSH, 11G-10A-21P): Rantanen’s finishing (GWG vs. NYR) vs. Forsberg’s grit (G vs. CAR). Edge: Avalanche—Rantanen’s 5P in last four H2H.

Goalie Duel: Mackenzie Blackwood/Scott Wedgewood (COL, .920 SV%) vs. Juuse Saros (NSH, .893 SV%): Blackwood’s road poise (2.21 GAA) vs. Saros’ slump (3.04 GAA). Edge: Avalanche.

Betting Trends

Puck Line: Colorado 10-7 ATS as road favorites; Nashville 4-6 ATS at home.

Total: 6 to 6.5 (O +100 to +114; U -120 to -135). Overs in 6 of last 10 H2H; Avalanche overs in 7 of last 10 road (avg. 6.8 goals).

Other Trends:

Avalanche: 18-8-2 SU as favorites; Over in 6 of last 8 vs. Central.

Predators: 2-8 SU in last 10; Under 3-1 in last 4 vs. COL.

Game Odds

Colorado Avalanche       – 205

Nashville Predators        6.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, December 8, 2025

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