As the Avalanche walloped the Predators 5-3 on Monday, cutting their first-round playoff series deficit to 2-1, there was clearly no love lost between the teams in a game cluttered with mini-fights.
Here’s the skirmish tracker from the tense action at the:
1st period, 7:55: Extracurriculars reigned from the opening puck drop, but the pushing and jawing between the teams heated up with a near-brawl midway through the first. A slight delay cultivated in Colorado’s and Nashville’sKevin Fiala both being pegged withunsportsmanlike conduct penalties.
1st period,20:00: The end of the opening frame came with plenty of fireworks as Colorado’s and Nashville’sAustin Watson were each assessed two minutes for roughing. Predators defenseman P.K. Subban was still arguing with the referees long after everyone else vacated the ice.
2nd period,9:27:The Avalanche held a commanding 3-0 lead entering the second but that didn’t water down the physicality, with another large skirmish involving multiple players from both sides. After the referees pulled the parties apart, Colorado’sNikita Zadorov was penalized for hooking andPatrik Nemeth for cross-checking.
2nd period, 10:33:Both teams placed a premium on protecting their goalies on Monday, with a number of altercations starting in front of the crease after action had been whistled dead. Colorado’s and Nashville’s Miikka Salomaki found themselves face-to-face in that situation in front of the Avalanche net following a save.
2nd period,16:13: It was the captain’s turn to stick up for Bernier, who was knocked down by Nashville’sFilip Forsberg, as went afterForsberg and drew a swarm of his Predator teammates.Forsberg was hit with an interference penalty on the play.
2nd period,17:16:Subban was again at the center of the fray late in the second when the Nashville defenseman decked along the boards.MacKinnon retaliated by latching on to Subban’s skate and taking him down to the ice with him, unwilling to let go until a tussle ensued. Both players were sent to the box for holding penalties.
3rd period, 17:53: Tension seemed to calm down in the final period as the Predators clawed back with three goals, and the referees also swallowing their whistles. ButLandeskog got one final shove in shortly before his empty-net goal sealed the win, as the captain shoved Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis over goalie Juuse Saros and to the ice. No penalty was called.
