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Avalanche go for back-to-back wins vs. Predators

Oct 4, 2007 - 3:13 PM Colorado (1-0-0) at Nashville (0-0-0) 8:00 pm EDT

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- The Colorado Avalanche will look to notch their second win in as many nights when they travel to take on the Nashville Predators on Thursday.

The Avalanche edged the Dallas Stars on Wednesday, 4-3, on the strength of a hat trick from Paul Statsny. Andrew Brunette registered three assists as Colorado ended the Stars' 10-game unbeaten streak in season openers.

With the win, the Avalanche improved to 16-5-7 in season openers, the best win percentage in the NHL. They also seemed to pick up where they left off last season, going 15-2-2 in their final 17 games.

Statsny is off to a good start in his sophomore campaign, after finishing the 2006-07 season with 28 goals and 50 assists. His performance in his rookie season normally would have won him the Calder Trophy, but the six-foot, 205-pounder was beat out by Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Predators will open their season on Thursday, after finishing second in the Central Division while collecting 110 points during the 2006-07 campaign. A repeat performance seems unlikely as Nashville watched several key players leave the team in the offseason.

Leading the list of departures was goaltender Tomas Vokoun, who posted a 27-12-4 record with a 2.40 GAA and a .920 save percentage.

After an injury limited Vokoun to just 44 games, Chris Mason stepped in and posted an impressive 24-11-4 record with a franchise-best five shutouts. However, Mason has big skates to fill as the Predators' No. 1 netminder, as Vokoun led the team to all three of their playoff appearances.

Nashville will also struggle without former team captain and defenseman Kimmo Timonen, who was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers.

Peter Forsberg was also let go despite being acquired for two prospects and a pair of draft picks from the Flyers last in the season. The veteran center, who departed as a free agent, notched 15 points in 17 games with the Predators.