Eurolanche

Colorado against the Predators

Season series: The Colorado Avalanche have won three of four games against the Nashville Predators, including a 4-3 win at Bridgestone Arena on March 28. Blake Comeau, Gabriel Landeskog and Jack Skille scored in the first period, and Shawn Matthias' goal in the third period was the game-winner. Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne was pulled after the first period, which was the first time he had been pulled this season. Francois Beauchemin had one goal and one assist in Colorado's 3-2 win Dec. 12 at Bridgestone Arena.

Avalanche team scope: Colorado did not practice Monday after losing 5-1 to the St. Louis Blues on Sunday at Pepsi Center. Forward Matt Duchene scored his 30th goal, but coach Patrick Roy had some strong words following the game about the timing of Duchene's celebration. "The reaction of [Duchene] after he scores - it's a 4-0 [game]," Roy told the Denver Post. "Big cheer. Are you kidding me? What is that? It's not the 'reflect' that we want from our guys. Not at all." The Avalanche can be eliminated from contention in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a regulation loss, a win by the Minnesota Wild against the San Jose Sharks, or if the Wild and Avalanche both lose in overtime.

Predators team scope: Nashville recalled forward Cody Bass from Milwaukee of the American Hockey League on Monday. He will likely replace forward Miikka Salomaki in the lineup, who missed practice Monday and is listed as day-to-day with an undisclosed injury. Defensemen Ryan Ellis and Anthony Bitetto participated in practice. Ellis has missed two games with an upper-body injury, and Bitetto has missed eight games with a lower-body injury. Bitetto said the plan is for him to be ready to return for Game 1 of the Western Conference First Round series. "A game before then would be nice," he told the Predators website. Ellis said he feels like he's ready to play but isn't sure if he will be in the lineup against the Avalanche, according to the Predators website.

-- by Robby Stanley for NHL.com --