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Tucker, Budaj help Avalanche snap skid, top Predators

Nov 9, 2008 - 6:35 AM By Derek Nagy PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

DENVER (Ticker) -- Darcy Tucker's 200th career NHL goal could not have come at a better time for the Colorado Avalanche.

Tucker scored with 4:21 remaining in the second period and Peter Budaj turned aside 26 shots as the Avalanche snapped a five-game losing streak with a 1-0 triumph over the Nashville Predators on Saturday.

T.J. Hensick and Ryan Smyth were credited with assists for Colorado, which had been outscored, 21-8, during its skid.

"(Budaj) made the big saves for us and we got a good bounce on the goal, and sometimes that's all you need to get you going," Tucker said. "Anytime things aren't going your way, you're hoping you get a bounce or a fortunate play."

Dan Ellis made 19 saves for Nashville, which dropped its third straight game on its season-high six game road trip. The Predators were shut out for the second time in four days.

"We're starting to move in the right direction," Ellis said. "No, we didn't get six goals like we did against Calgary (in a 7-6 loss on Thursday), but we only let in one. When you allow one instead of seven, you're moving the right direction."

Tucker's goal came as a result of a miscue by Nashville.

Hensick patiently held the puck before sliding a centering pass that Scott Nichol was in position to clear. Nichol failed to get his stick in the right position, however, and the puck slid to Tucker, who slipped it past Ellis for his third goal of the season and second in as many games.

"I kind of got lucky on the pass, but Tucker was in the right spot at the right time - and it was a big goal for us to get up, 1-0," Hensick said.

"The bottom line is, they got their goal on what should have been a nothing play," Predators coach Barry Trotz said. "The puck went under Scotty Nichol's stick and they got the win. It's a 1-0 game, you're one puck away."

The Avalanche were thwarted by the left goalpost on two occasions.

Ian Laperriere had a wide-open net at which to shoot in the first period, but his attempt caromed off the post.

In the second session, Marek Svatos clanged a shot off the iron, keeping the game scoreless.

"I think it was a huge win for our team, especially with us losing five in a row," Budaj said. "I don't think we played that bad in those five games, but we couldn't get it going. Tonight's two points are really big, really crucial for our team. We're glad we got the win before the big road trip coming up."