Postgame Notes & Quotes 4, 2 Friday, March 16, 2018

With the win, the Predators became the first team in the NHL this season to clinch a playoff berth. Nashville has points in 14 consecutive games (13-0-1), matching the longest point streak in franchise history (Feb. 12-Mar. 9, 2016). The Predators also have points in 14 straight road contests (11-0-3), which sets a new franchise record.

Friday’s game wraps up the four-game season series between the Avalanche and the Predators. Colorado finished 0-3-1 against Nashville.

Nathan MacKinnon now has a point in 11 consecutive games, the longest point streak by an Avalanche player since MacKinnon himself registered a point in 13 straight games during his rookie campaign in 2013-14. MacKinnon’s 11-game run is the second-longest active streak in the NHL behind Winnipeg’s Patrik Laine (14 games).

MacKinnon had a nine-game streak earlier this season and is the first Avalanche player to have two point streaks of nine or more games in a season since Joe Sakic during the 2005-06 campaign (13 and 10).

MacKinnon continues to pace the league in scoring at home with 60 points (24g, 36a), the most by an Avalanche player on home ice since Joe Sakic notched 67 in 2000-01.

Tyson Barrie extended his point streak to a career-long nine games, matching the longest streak by a defenseman in Avalanche history (since 1995-96). Kevin Shattenkirk (Nov. 19-Dec. 4, 2010) and John-Michael Liles (Oct. 7-26, 2010) each had nine-game runs. Barrie’s streak is also the longest by an NHL defenseman this season. He now has 18 points (5g, 13a) in his last 12 contests, which leads all NHL defensemen since Feb. 20.

Mikko Rantanen tallied an assist to stretch his assist/point streak to five games. Rantanen has 11 points (3g, 8a) in his last five outings and leads the NHL with 16 points (5g, 11a) in March.

Colorado held Nashville scoreless on four power-play opportunities to extend its -killing streak to 14 straight kills. The Avalanche is a league-best 103-for-111 (92.8%) on the PK at home this season.

Friday’s game closed out the 10th of 11 back-to-back sets for Colorado this season. The Avs are 5-3-2 in the first contest of a back-to-back and 3-7-0 in the second.

David Warsofsky has three points (0g, 3a) in his last four contests since being recalled from the San Antonio Rampage.

Filip Forsberg finished with two goals and now holds sole possession of fifth place on the franchise’s all-time goals list with 111 tallies.

Colorado LW Gabriel Landeskog On Tonight’s Game: “It’s frustrating, no doubt, but it’s a hard-fought game and I liked our effort tonight. I mean, everyone was going and every battle mattered out there, just came out short really. I mean that’s a really good hockey team that we are playing against. Obviously it’s disappointing and it [stinks] but we want to keep this thing going and we want to win every game we play in. It just seemed like we ran out of gas a little bit.”

On Playing Against Nashville: “They are a deep team, they are a good team. They might be one of the better teams in the league, no doubt. You know, they have depth and their back end is solid and tonight their goalie played well. But you know, once you get in the playoffs, anything can happen. For us, it’s just a matter of learning from this one and moving on and making sure we are ready to go on Sunday.”

Colorado C Carl Soderberg On Tonight’s Game: “I think a well-played game by us and overall they were pretty good too. Two good teams and a good battle, unfortunately, we couldn’t get a win.”

On The Third Period: “I guess we just wanted to keep pushing. I think we played pretty good overall and created a lot of chances, enough to get a win and get a lead but then they got the 3-2 lead and it was pretty hard for us to chase.”

Nashville RW Filip Forsberg On Making The Playoffs: “Every team has that at the start of the year, to make the playoffs. Obviously the higher you finish the better, but in the end all that matters is that you make it in and we are happy we did that.”

On Nashville’s Road Success: “I think we are just working hard. Obviously we played last night and got in late, but I think everybody is working hard and that’s how it has to be on the road. It doesn’t have to be pretty and just get the job done.”

Nashville D Ryan Ellis On Nashville G Juuse Saros’ Performance: “He was awesome. I think we took a little too many penalties and your best penalty killer has to be your goalie, and he was terrific again tonight. I think we gave up some opportunities on the rush and he was terrific all night. No matter who’s going in net, whether it’s Peks (Nashville G Pekka Rinne) or Juuse we have the confidence back there that they will get the job done.”

On Making The Playoffs: “It’s business as usual. We have a couple games, I think 11 or so left here, and we have to get back to work. I think we want to hit the playoffs running with a lot of momentum and playing the right way. I think we have some time to work on that now. We are playing from behind a lot which is not winning hockey. Usually right now we are getting the job done enough to win the game but we would much rather be up two, three, four nothing and battling to stop them from scoring rather than battling back to score.”