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NHL Playoffs 2018: Predators vs. Avalanche Game 1 TV schedule, live stream, watch online

By Dave Stevenson

DENVER, CO - MARCH 16: Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche faces off against Mike Fisher #12 of the Nashville Predators at the Pepsi Center on March 16, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - MARCH 16: Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche faces off against Mike Fisher #12 of the Nashville Predators at the Pepsi Center on March 16, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Here’s how you can watch the exciting NHL Playoffs 2018 matchup between the Nashville Predators and the Colorado Avalanche 

The Nashville Predators are the NHL’s hottest team. Many are picking them to be the Stanley Cup favorite. They begin their long journey to their first title on Thursday night against the Colorado Avalanche. This will be the first game of the NHL Playoffs 2018 for both teams. The game will be held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Puck drop is scheduled at 9:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. CT).

Nashville comes into the postseason as the President’s Trophy winners. No, there is no such thing as a curse. They’re an insanely deep team, as you could argue they have two top forward lines. Even their third forward line is pretty outstanding, even without underrated cog Calle Jarnkrok.

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Of course, the Preds also have one of the best bluelines in the NHL. They are active all over the ice and they love to jump up in the offensive zone. P.K. Subban and Roman Josi lead arguably the NHL’s most talented group of defensemen. And guarding the net, Nashville has star goaltender Pekka Rinne. Many pundits believe he will win the 2017-18 Vezina Trophy, which goes to the NHL’s best goaltender.

On the other side of the ice, the Avalanche were the worst team in the NHL last season. Not only that, their point total set a salary cap era record of futility. About 12 months later, Colorado is in the playoffs.

They did it in large part thanks to a Hart Trophy caliber performance from star center Nathan MacKinnon. He, Gabriel Landeskog, and Mikko Rantanen form one of the most productive lines in the NHL.

The Avalanche have one of the league’s most deadly power plays. Meanwhile, the Preds are known for committing penalties. This could be a very interesting combination. However, Nashville holds the advantage in virtually every category.

Meanwhile, Columbus has been scorching hot. They are led by Artemi Panarin, Cam Atkinson, Seth Jones, and reigning Vezina Trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky. The Jackets outshot the Caps in each of their four meetings this season. They’ve been on a roll lately, especially on offense. But will it be enough to get them their first postseason series victory in franchise history?

Live Stream Information

Date: Thursday, April 12th
Start Time: 9:30pm ET
Venue: Bridgestone Arena
Location: Nashville, TN
Series Lead: Series is tied at zero
Announcers: Kenny Albert, AJ Mleczko, Brian Boucher
TV Channel: NBCSN, Sportsnet, TVA Sports, Fox Sports-Tennessee, AltitudeTV
Live Stream: Fubo.tv (subscription required, but you get a free trial), NBCSN

Next: Power Ranking the Stanley Cup Playoff Teams

The Preds won each of their regular season matchups against the Avs. However, Colorado is playing with house money right now. They could be a very dangerous wild-card team.

For more NHL Playoffs 2018 coverage, check out our hub page!

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