Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13) shoots and scores game winning goal against Nashville Predators goaltender Connor Ingram (39) in the third period during game four of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs at Bridgestone Arena May 09, 2022.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri (91) and Nashville Predators defenseman Matt Benning (5) go after the puck in front of Nashville Predators goaltender Connor Ingram (39) in the first period during game four of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs at Bridgestone Arena May 09, 2022.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) looks for the puck in front of Nashville Predators defenseman Alexandre Carrier (45) and Nashville Predators goaltender Connor Ingram (39) in the first period of the third game of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs at Bridgestone Arena May 07, 2022. Nashville Predators defenseman Mattias Ekholm (14), right, defends on the play.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche left wing Andre Burakovsky (95) shoots and scores a goal against the Nashville Predators in the first period during game four of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs at Bridgestone Arena May 09, 2022.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) in the first period during game four of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena May 09, 2022.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) skates after the puck against Nashville Predators defenseman Alexandre Carrier (45) in the first period during game four of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs at Bridgestone Arena May 09, 2022.
Colorado Avalanche left wing Andre Burakovsky (95), left, and Colorado Avalanche left wing J.T. Compher (37) celebrate with Cale Maker (8) after Makar scored against the Nashville Predators in the second period during game four of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs at Bridgestone Arena May 09, 2022.
NASHVILLE, TN - MAY 09: Nashville Predators center Colton Sissons (10), left, Nashville Predators defenseman Alexandre Carrier (45), send from left, celebrate with Nashville Predators center Yakov Trenin (13), third from left, after Trenin scored against the Colorado Avalanche in the second period during game four of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs at Bridgestone Arena May 09, 2022. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) works the puck against Nashville Predators defenseman Matt Benning (5) in the second period during game four of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs at Bridgestone Arena May 09, 2022.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) shoots and scores against the Nashville Predators in the second period during game four of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs at Bridgestone Arena May 09, 2022.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13) shoots and scores game winning goal against Nashville Predators goaltender Connor Ingram (39) in the third period during game four of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs at Bridgestone Arena May 09, 2022.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche players line up to congratulate goaltender Pavel Francouz (39), left, after winning game four of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs and sweeping the series against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena May 09, 2022. The Avalanche won 5-3, sweeping the series to move on to the second round of the playoffs.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostThe Colorado Avalanche and the Nashville Predators line up and shake hands after the Avalanche won game four of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs at Bridgestone Arena May 09, 2022. The Avalanche won 5-3, sweeping the series to move on to the second round of the playoffs.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8), left, and Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) talk mid-ice after the Avalanche won game four of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs at Bridgestone Arena May 09, 2022. The Avalanche swept the series to move on to the second round of the playoffs.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) celebrates coming to the bench after scoring an empty net goal agains the Nashville Predators in the third period during game four of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs at Bridgestone Arena May 09, 2022. The Avalanche won 5-3, sweeping the series to move on to the second round of the playoffs.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostFrom left to right, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews (7), Colorado Avalanche left wing Andre Burakovsky (95), Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13), and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) celebrate Nichushkin’s game winning goal against the Nashville Predators in the third period during game four of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs at Bridgestone Arena May 09, 2022. The Avalanche won 5-3, sweeping the series to move on to the second round.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche left wing Andre Burakovsky (95) and Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13) celebrate over Nashville Predators goaltender Connor Ingram (39) after scoring the game winning goal in the third period during game four of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs at Bridgestone Arena May 09, 2022. Avalanche won 5-3.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
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Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13) shoots and scores game winning goal against Nashville Predators goaltender Connor Ingram (39) in the third period during game four of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs at Bridgestone Arena May 09, 2022.
ExpandBy Andy Cross | across@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...
Colorado Avalanche vs Nashville Predators in game 4 of the first-round of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. on Monday, May 9, 2022.



















