Avalanche vs. Predators Game 4: Full highlights, final score and more

The Nashville Predators regained control of this series with a Game 4 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday night.

The Colorado Avalanche had a huge opportunity to tie this series up at 2-2 before going back on the road. The Nashville Predators were determined to put a stop to that.

Smashville seemed to be losing control after Game 3. They still held a 2-1 series lead despite the loss, but something was different. Colorado had its foot on the gas and the tide was turning. The Predators started taking frustrating penalties and losing all composure.

In Game 4, they found their calm and cool. From the outset of this one, Nashville was dominant. While the Avalanche had started the first three games with speed, the Predators gave them their own medicine. Colorado really could never get out of their own zone starting from puck drop. In fact, it appeared to be a complete reverse from Monday night.

Nashville took the first period lead on another beauty of a goal by Filip Forsberg. Though the score remained 1-0 going into intermission, it could have and probably should have been a lot worse.The Predators already had 15 shots on goal by the end of the period.

The second was more of the same, which was an onslaught. Colton Sissons picked up his third goal of the series to make it 2-0 before Craig Smith came roaring out of the penalty box four minutes later to give them a three goal lead.

But as stated, this entire game felt to be a total reversal of the previous. While Colorado didn’t pay after taking frustrating penalties, they started losing their nerve a bit as the game got chippy towards midway in. And then Nashville did a 180 and came out flat for the final frame. It nearly cost them. The Avalanche suddenly started playing with a purpose and the Predators, once again, didn’t seem to know how to handle it.

After Nashville took two successive penalties before the whistle blew, Colorado’s Gabriel Landeskog potted this third in the series to bring them within two. Six minutes later, Alex Kerfoot put them within one on a controversial goal that was reviewed for goalie interference but ultimately stood. We won’t get in to it too much here, but it could have swayed either way.

The Predators, really, seemed to simply be holding on for dear life. It’s a wonder Colorado didn’t come out with that much furor to begin with. It might have led them to a win, but alas, it was too late. Nashville has put a chokehold on this match up now. They will have a chance to end it on Friday.

Side notes: Avs goaltender Jonathan Bernier did not come out for the third due to injury. Andrew Hammond replaced him and stopped all eight shots he faced. Predator Ryan Johansen left as well with an injury but came back partly into the final frame.

Three Stars

1: Pekka Rinne

Rinne, a recently announced Vezina candidate, needed to have a great game to stop the bleeding for Nashville. He did absolutely that. He stopped 31 of 33, made key saves near the end of the game, and put on a performance the Predators had been hoping for since Game 1. It was dicey in the third, but he pulled them through.

2: Filip Forsberg

When Forsberg shows up, good things happen for his club. He added another goal, an absolute beauty again, and also added an assist on a fantastic pass to Colton Sissons. For Nashville to close it out Friday, he has to continue to produce. They need him to be huge every time he steps onto the ice.

3: Austin Watson

Watson hasn’t garnered a spot yet in these star rankings, but tonight he does. He didn’t pick up his fourth goal, but he did offer another assist. His play has been dynamite through four games. If Nashville advances to the next round, he will and should be counted on to continue his above solid play.

Highlights

https://twitter.com/NHL/status/986801200564760576

Next Game:

Friday, April 20, 9:30 p.m. EST, @ Nashville

TV: NBCSN

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