DENVER – For five games, the Colorado Avalanche played it tough with the Nashville Predators.
The Avs were unafraid and not intimidated by the heavily favored Predators.
Their Game 5 win in Nashville forced the series back to Denver.
But in the end, the overwhelming differences in the clubs were on display Sunday as Pekka Rinne returned to form and shut out the Avs, 4-0.
Rinne made 22 saves for the series-clinching win.
“We continued to play the way we started the game in the second,” Rinne said. “Another two goals and in the third, we didn’t let up, kept going. We didn’t give them any life. Defensively and from my standpoint, that was the best game we’ve played this series.
“I think we knew coming in, trying to close out the series, it’s always demanding and difficult to do. I thought we did an amazing job.”
Viktor Arvidsson, Nick Bonino, Filip Forsberg, Austin Watson and Mattias Ekholm struck for the Predators who were focused and ruthless in the win.
“I always think it’s great to get out of the first round,” Predators coach Peter Laviolette said. “It’s tough, there’s that pressure to move on and get into the last eight teams. We’re finally past that, which is a good thing.”
No one on the Avs had a good night as the Preds skated past everyone.
“Good series, tonight was tough,” Nathan MacKinnon said. “I thought we came out with some jump and then they scored two quick goals and it just deflated us, and they got one early in the second that made it 3-0 and kind of ruined our momentum. Obviously, tonight was pretty bad.”
Nashville now faces the Winnipeg Jets in the second round.
[WATCH: All Predators vs. Avalanche highlights | Complete Predators vs. Avalanche series coverage]
Andrew Hammond made 32 saves in the loss, one game after being the hero in a 2-1 win in Game 5.
“It’s disappointing because we showed what we can do when we’re battling from behind and when our season was on the line last game,” Hammond said. “But unfortunately tonight, we weren’t able to repeat that.”
The Avs made it to the playoffs a year after being last in the NHL standings in the regular season.
“I’m proud of this team, what they accomplished, how hard they worked all year, how coachable they were. Great group, fun to coach,” Avs head coach Jared Bednar said. “They were respectful, responsive, hard working, a real close-knit group from Day One. Great leadership, it was a good season, a fun season. Especially for a lot of our guys who went through probably their worst season, myself included, last year to respond and have a season like this.”
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