Gabriel Landeskog scored twice in the second period to help the Colorado Avalanche beat the Nashville Predators 7-3 on Saturday and close to a second-round playoff win.
Landeskog also had two assists, while Nazem Kadri and Devon Toews both had goals and assists.
Former Canadiens Artturi Lehkonen and Nathan MacKinnon hit the power play target for the Avalanche, taking advantage of four of their five power play opportunities.
Valeri Nichushkin completed the scoring with an empty net with 2:46 left in the third period to ensure his team’s third win in as many games. The Predators have already retired Connor Ingram in favor of the sixth skater with more than four minutes left.
Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper was injured in the final minutes of the first period when a stick hit his face. The doorman immediately removed his mask and fell to the ground. He went back to the locker room, put a towel on his face.
For convenience, Pavel Francouz made 20 saves in his seventh appearance in a career playoff game.
Matt Duchene, Eeli Tolvanen and captain Roman Josi lined up for the Predators, who fell 0-3 in a series for the first time in franchise history.
The team will have to win the fourth meeting, Monday night, if they want to avoid a first sweep of the 15 participants in the spring tournament.
Avalanche has dominated this series since the start, with a combined score of 16-6. Colorado also had an advantage in shots, at 137-81.
Source: Radio-Canada
