Eurolanche

Predators win secures playoff berth

Season series: The Nashville Predators defeated the Colorado Avalanche 5-2 on March 5 at Pepsi Center. The Predators trailed 2-1 heading into the third period and scored four goals in the third period to complete the comeback win. Colorado won the first two games this season, including a 3-2 victory on Dec. 12 at Bridgestone Arena, where defenseman Francois Beauchemin had one goal and one assist. The Avalanche won 5-3 at Pepsi Center on Jan. 8. Predators center Ryan Johansen had a goal and an assist in his first game after being acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Avalanche team scope: Forwards Matt Duchene and Nathan MacKinnon and will not make the trip to Nashville and will be out the next two games with knee injuries, Colorado announced Sunday. Duchene and MacKinnon are the Avalanche's top-two scorers with 56 and 52 points, respectively. Forward Andrew Agozzino and defenseman Nikita Zadorov were recalled from the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League on Sunday. Colorado is five points behind the Minnesota Wild for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference. The Avalanche have lost two games in a row but have won three straight on the road.

Predators team scope: Nashville can clinch a playoff berth with a win of any kind against Colorado. The Predators are an NHL-best 14-2-5 since Feb. 12. Defenseman Roman Josi earned his 56th point of the season in a 5-1 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday, which tied Shea Weber's Predators record for points in a season by a defenseman set in 2013-14. "[Weber] has been a great role model for me," Josi said. "Having as much points as him is a big honor for me. He's been one of the best defensemen in the League for years, and I've learned so much from him. It's definitely a big honor for me." The Predators took the day off Sunday. Nashville is 7-0-3 in its past 10 games at home.

-- by Robby Stanley for NHL.com --