Call it a due factor. But Nashville is due to lose a road game after winning its first six away matchups. The Predators won half of those games by one goal with a fourth road win coming by two goals due to an empty net score with less than a minute left.

The Avalanche have been pointing to this matchup ever since the Predators eliminated them in six games during the playoffs last season. Colorado has had plenty of time to focus and prepare having been idle the last four days.

Colorado ranks No. 2 behind Washington in goals per game. The Avalanche have won 22 of their past 31 home games.

The Predators are likely to still be without their third-leading scorer, Viktor Arvidsson. He's missed the past two games with a lower body injury.

Nashville hasn't been a team to go against this season, but this is the spot to do it.