Saturday, Jan. 27 8:00pm ET
Predators' Trotz: 'We were not sharp'
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BOX SCORE
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- The best defense for the Colorado
Avalanche was playing keepaway from the Nashville Predators.
|  | | Avalanche rookie goaltender David Aebischer blocks a first-period shot by the Predators. |
Ville Nieminen had a goal and an assist, and Milan Hejduk had an
unassisted goal with two assists in a 5-1 victory Saturday night.
Nashville got only nine shots on goal, which set franchise
records for both teams.
"Their highly skilled players controlled the puck, and we
didn't get it back," Predators coach Barry Trotz said. "We
couldn't get anything through the neutral zone. I'm not giving them
all the credit. We were not sharp."
Colorado, with the best record in the NHL at 34-8-8-1, has not
lost a regulation game since being beaten by the Predators here 5-2
on Dec. 26.
"It was a very strong team effort," Avalanche coach Bob
Hartley said. "It was our second game in two nights. I think
everybody on this team deserves the credit."
Vitali Yachmenev scored the lone goal for the Predators, who
missed the chance to sweep a four-game home winning streak in front
of a sellout crowd of 17,113 at the Gaylord Entertainment Center.
The Predators wasted little time getting on the scoreboard as
Yachmenev, stationed to the left side of the goal crease, sent a
pass from David Legwand past rookie goalie David
Aebischer at 1:20 of the first.
Colorado came back strong with two power-play goals in the
second. Joe Sakic, who had only one goal in his last eight games
against Nashville, scored on a one-timer from the left circle
against Mike Dunham at 3:47.
Martin Skoula took a pass from Nieminen in the left circle and
fired the puck past Dunham on his stick side at 15:06. The
Avalanche almost had a third goal as Peter Forsberg's slap shot
banged off the right goal post.
"Once they got the 2-1 lead there was no chance," Trotz said.
"They seemed to get stronger as the game went on."
It got worse in the third as the Predators again managed only
two shots on goal. The Avalanche scored three more times with
Niemenen starting at the 7:17 mark. Hejduk scored an unassisted
goal at 11:15 when he capitalized on a Predators turnover in the
neutral zone and beat Dunham with a high wrist shot. Tanguay scored
a shorthanded goal at 14:05 when he forced Dunham to commit and
then put the puck over his stick.
"The third period was game, set, match with the way they were
playing," Trotz said.
Game notes
The Predators' three victories on home ice in January were
only two short of their total of five for the months of October,
November and December. ... Nashville's Scott Walker, second on the
team in scoring with 36 points, missed his fifth straight game with
a separated left shoulder and is listed as day-to-day. ... Trotz
missed practice Friday and the Saturday morning skate to celebrate
the birth of his fourth child -- a son, Nolan Jacob. ... Alexandere
Boikov was placed on waivers by the Predators. ... Aebischer has
not allowed more than two goals in his last eight starts in goal.
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ALSO SEE
NHL Scoreboard
Colorado Clubhouse
Nashville Clubhouse
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Philadelphia 4
Carolina 3
Montreal 4
Washington 2
Minnesota 4
Los Angeles 1
Boston 4
New Jersey 3
Buffalo 2
NY Islanders 1
Toronto 3
NY Rangers 1
Columbus 2
Anaheim 1
Florida 3
Tampa Bay 2
Pittsburgh 5
Atlanta 1
Colorado 5
Nashville 1
San Jose 4
St. Louis 3
Vancouver 5
Calgary 3
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