Eurolanche

Preview: Avalanche against Predators

Season series: The Colorado Avalanche won three of four against the Nashville Predators last season, games that were high-scoring affairs. Three times the winner scored five goals (including a goal awarded for a shootout in one game). Forward Matt Duchene led the Avalanche with two goals and three assists while Nashville defensemen were its highest scorers. Ryan Ellis had one goal and five assists and Roman Josi had three goals and two assists.

Predators (17-7-2) team scope : Left wing Taylor Beck did not skate Monday at practice, the Predators website reported. However, center Paul Gaustad and defenseman Anton Volchenkov did. Gaustad has missed the past two games with a lower-body injury and Volchenkov was scratched in a 3-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday with an undisclosed injury. Beck has played in 20 consecutive games, helping to form an effective fourth line with Gaustad and wing Eric Nystrom. Forward Colin Wilson has three goals in his past four games. Right wing James Neal has not scored in nine consecutive games. Nashville is 5-2-0 in its past seven games. Nashville is 13-4-2 against Western Conference teams and 7-3-1 against the Central Division, but 6-5-1 on the road.

Avalanche (9-12-6) team scope: Goalie Semyon Varlamov, a 2014 finalist for the Vezina Trophy, re-injured his groin for the second time this season and will be shut down. Goalie Reto Berra has been pulled from the past two games. Roy said the Avalanche expect to recall rookie goalie Calvin Pickard from Lake Erie of the American Hockey League and he could start Tuesday. Pickard is 3-4-0 and his 2.49 goals-against average and .922 save percentage lead Colorado goalies this season. The Avalanche have 20 players on their active roster after sending two players to the AHL on Saturday. Colorado is winless in its past three games (0-2-1). Right wing Jarome Iginla has three goals in his past four games. Center Nathan MacKinnon, the 2014 Calder Trophy winner, has not scored a goal since Nov. 13, a span of nine games. Left wing Gabriel Landeskog has one goal and three assists in his past four games. Colorado is 1-4-2 against Central Division opponents.

-- by John Manasso for NHL.com --