For the third time in three games, the Colorado Avalanche score first against Nashville. The goal happened within the first two minutes of the game at the hands of Blake Comeau. Comeau scored his second goal of the 2018 playoffs, tapping in a pass from Gregory Nieto.
Unlike games the first two games of the series, Colorado’s goal was not scored on the first Avalanche shot, but rather the second shot for Colorado.
Minutes later the Predators appeared to have what looked to be the game tying goal as Viktor Arvidsson crashed the net, but the officials ruled contact with Jonathan Bernier to be goaltender interference.
With under seven minutes in the first, Rene failed to clear the puck from behind the net. Patrick Nemeth stopped the puck at the point and fired a wrist shot that was redirected by Gabriel Bourque to gave Colorado their first multiple goal lead of the series.
Colorado’s offense wasn’t done in the first. A neutral zone turnover set up Nathan MacKinnon for his second goal of the playoffs, assisted by the captain Gabriel Landeskog. Colorado outshot Nashville in the first period 11-6 and went into the second period with a three goal lead.
Scoring first wasn’t the only thing familiar about this game. The Avalanche went into yet another intermission short handed. Tyson Barrie was called for cross checking with under a minute left in the first.
The Avalanche continued their offensive pressure in the second when MacKinnon was able to settle a rebound in front of the net and put one off the stick side post and in for his second goal of the game and third of the playoffs.
This was the end of the of the night for Pekka Rene who had only allowed six goals total in the previous two games in this series.
Minutes after the MacKinnon goal, a rogue catfish made its way onto the Pepsi Center ice in an attempt by the Predators fans to change the momentum of the game.
It took a two man advantage for Nashville to finally get one past Bernier. Nakita Zadorov and Nemeth were serving two minute minors, when Ryan Johansen scored on a rebound from a Ryan Ellis shot.
The energy in the third period matched that of the second. Continued physical play led to excessive pushing and shoving after just about every whistle.
About seven minutes into the third period, Nashville cut the Colorado lead to two goals when Colton Sissons scored off of a rebound on the glove side of Bernier.
Late in the third, Nashville pulled Saros for an extra attacker. Landeskog intercepted the puck and led a rush toward the empty net. While attempting to pass to MacKinnon to complete his hat trick, Landeskog was hooked and awarded the goal on a puck that went wide of the net.
Just over a minute left in the game, Nashville scored on a disputed goal by Colorado. The officials in Toronto determined there was no goaltender interference and Austin Watson recorded his third goal of the playoffs.
Colorado did miss opportunities in the game. The Avalanche power play went 0-for-5 on the evening, still only able to convert once off of 13 opportunities.
Nashville went 1-for-3 on the power play during the game and has been able to convert 3 times on 10 chances in the series.
In the end, Colorado was able to hold on for a 5-3 victory. Nashville leads the series 2-1. Game four will be in Denver on Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET.
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