Avalanche erupt for 5 goals in 1st, beat Predators in Game 1

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The fast, scoring-spree start by Colorado led to some feistiness later on with Nashville. But through all those pushes and shoves, the Avalanche maintained their composure.

Precisely what their coach wants to see.

"This isn’t about ego," Jared Bednar said. "It’s about winning."

Nathan MacKinnon and Devon Toews scored 22 seconds apart in a five-goal first period, sending the Avalanche to a 7-2 win over the Predators on Tuesday night in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.

"We talked about it beforehand — about coming out with a fast start," said Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog, who made his return after undergoing knee surgery in mid-March. "We were just sticking to our game, playing hard and playing fast."

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Colorado Avalanche left wing Artturi Lehkonen (62)is congratulated for his goal against the Nashville Predators during the first period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Tuesday, May 3, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Then, they kept their emotions in check.

"No team wants to get blown out, whether it’s at home or on the road," Landeskog said. "If the results aren't going your way, then you try to impact the game in a different way. That’s just the way it is."

The five goals tied the team playoff record for a period and chased Nashville's backup goaltender David Rittich from the game with 4:56 remaining in the first. Rittich was stepping in for 38-game winner Juuse Saros, who’s sidelined with a lower-body injury.

Andrew Cogliano, Cale Makar and Artturi Lehkonen also scored in the first. Landeskog built the lead to 6-0 when he was