NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Filip Forsberg scored twice in the third period and the Nashville Predators rallied to beat the Colorado Avalanche 5-2 on Thursday night in Game 1 of the first-round Western Conference series.
The Predators were ready for a big party having won their first Presidents’ Trophy and looking for the Stanley Cup lost in six games to Pittsburgh last June.
The Avalanche simply wanted a big win on a stage their franchise hadn’t seen since 2014, and the youngest roster this postseason outplayed the defending Western Conference champs early.
Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9), of Sweden, celebrates after scoring a goal against Colorado Avalanche goaltender Jonathan Bernier during the third period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series Thursday, April 12, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)Pekka Rinne made 25 saves, including a handful on Colorado’s Hart Trophy candidate Nathan MacKinnon.
Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9), of Sweden, celebrates after scoring a goal against Colorado Avalanche goaltender Jonathan Bernier during the third period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series Thursday, April 12, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)