Colorado Avalanche vs Nashville Predators Picks and Predictions December 14th 2024

Justus Annunen, recently with Avs, returns with Predators

The Colorado Avalanche will host the Nashville Predators on Saturday night in Denver, but the spotlight may shine brightest on former Avalanche goaltender Justus Annunen. After being traded to Nashville on Nov. 30, Annunen might get the chance to prove his worth against his former team in a pivotal matchup.

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Annunen’s Redemption Arc

Drafted 64th overall by Colorado in 2018, Justus Annunen showed glimpses of brilliance during his time with the Avalanche. However, his .872 save percentage over 10 games (6-4-0 record) raised concerns. Alongside Alexandar Georgiev’s inconsistent performances, Colorado found itself at the bottom of the NHL in goaltending, a glaring weakness for an otherwise strong team.

Since joining Nashville, Annunen has begun to turn things around. In Thursday’s 4-1 victory against Dallas, he made 35 saves, helping the Predators snap an eight-game losing streak. The performance showcased his potential as he adjusts to a new team and system.

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Nashville Predators: Building Momentum

The Predators are navigating a retooling phase, and despite their struggles, they have shown resilience:

• Goaltending Stability: Juuse Saros has been a cornerstone for Nashville, posting a 2.72 goals-against average while shouldering the bulk of the workload.
• Offensive Challenges: Nashville had gone nine games without scoring more than three goals until Thursday’s win over Dallas, where they broke through with four.
• Close Contests: Five of their last eight losses were by just one goal, highlighting that the team is often on the cusp of victory.

Key Contributors:

• Roman Josi: The defenseman leads the team with 23 points (seven goals, 16 assists).
• Filip Forsberg: The forward has been consistent with nine goals and 10 assists.
• Ryan O’Reilly: A familiar face for Avalanche fans, the former Colorado center has tallied 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists) this season.

Colorado Avalanche: Searching for Balance

While the Avalanche boast one of the league’s most potent offenses, their defensive and goaltending issues have been a recurring problem.

• Offensive Firepower:
  • Nathan MacKinnon leads the NHL with 47 points (11 goals, 36 assists).
  • Mikko Rantanen, tied for fourth in the league in goals (18), complements MacKinnon’s dominance.
  • Ross Colton has contributed significantly with nine goals, despite being sidelined earlier in the season with a fractured foot.
• Goaltending Overhaul:
  To address their goaltending woes, Colorado traded Georgiev for Mackenzie Blackwood in a four-player deal. Blackwood, who joined earlier this week, is expected to stabilize the net, though he has been dealing with an illness. Coach Jared Bednar acknowledged that improved goaltending has already bolstered the team’s penalty kill, which went 14-for-16 during a recent road trip.

What’s at Stake?

Saturday’s matchup is a chance for both teams to build momentum as the season progresses:

• For Colorado: The Avalanche need to translate their offensive dominance into consistent wins. Improved defensive and goaltending performance is critical as they aim to climb the standings.
• For Nashville: The Predators will look to build on their victory over Dallas and showcase the grit Ryan O’Reilly emphasized: “We want to be harder to play against.”

Annunen’s performance will be a key storyline, as he faces the team that once believed in his potential. Meanwhile, Colorado must shake off the effects of a recent illness that has spread through the locker room and return to form after a lackluster 4-1 loss to Utah.

Conclusion

The upcoming clash between the Avalanche and Predators isn’t just about points—it’s about redemption, resilience, and redefined identities. With stars like MacKinnon and Rantanen leading Colorado’s offense and Nashville’s goaltenders anchoring a rebuilding team, this game promises drama and intensity. Keep an eye on Annunen, as his journey from Colorado castoff to Nashville’s potential hero takes center stage.