Preview: Predators Face Avalanche in Denver Rematch DENVER (Interstat) — The Nashville Predators and Colorado Avalanche will meet for the third time this season Saturday at Ball Arena, with the home team looking to maintain its Central Division dominance and the visitors seeking to build on a recent upset. The Avalanche (21-9-0) enter as one of the NHL’s top teams, boasting a potent offense led by center Nathan MacKinnon. He has been stellar against Nashville this season, recording a goal in a 3-0 win on Nov. 22 and two assists in a 3-3 tie on Dec. 9 that the Predators ultimately won in a shootout. MacKinnon has 11 points in his last nine games. Conversely, the Predators (11-18-0) have struggled for consistency but are coming off a shootout victory over these same Avalanche just four days prior. Goaltender Juuse Saros was instrumental in that result, stopping 36 of 39 shots. Saros has seen a heavy workload, facing 30 or more shots in seven of his last 10 starts. His performance will be critical against Colorado’s high-powered attack. The season series stands at 1-1-1. Colorado shut out Nashville 3-0 last month before the Predators’ 4-3 shootout win earlier this week. Defenseman Brady Skjei scored for Nashville in that victory, while Colorado’s Cale Makar had a goal. Colorado has been strong at home and is in the midst of a stretch where they play seven of their next 10 games at Ball Arena. Following this contest, they embark on a brief road trip to Seattle on Tuesday. Nashville continues a difficult road swing, with this game being the first of a back-to-back before heading to St. Louis on Monday. The Predators have lost eight of their last 12 games overall. The matchup pits one of the league’s elite offenses against a goaltender in Saros who has historically kept his team competitive even when outplayed. Whether the Predators can replicate their recent defensive effort against MacKinnon and the Avalanche’s deep forward group will likely decide the outcome. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. MST Saturday.