Predators beat Avs 6-1 in regular-season finale

By Pat Graham

Associated Press

Published: Saturday, April 7 2012 9:40 p.m. MDT

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Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis, right, is pinned to the ice by Colorado Avalanche center Mark Olver as they fight for control of the puck along the boards in the first period of an NHL hockey game in Denver, Saturday, April 7, 2012.

David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Summary

Backup Anders Lindback stopped 34 shots before leaving early in the final period after a collision and Patric Hornqvist scored his team-leading 27th goal to lift the playoff-bound Nashville Predators to a 6-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night in the regular-season finale for both teams.

DENVER — Backup Anders Lindback stopped 34 shots before leaving early in the final period after a collision and Patric Hornqvist scored his team-leading 27th goal to lift the playoff-bound Nashville Predators to a 6-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night in the regular-season finale for both teams.

David Legwand, Craig Smith, Roman Josi, Brandon Yip and Matt Halischuk also had goals for Nashville, which clinched the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference before the game when Central Division rival Detroit lost to Chicago in a shootout. The Predators open the playoffs next week by hosting the Red Wings.

Matt Duchene scored the lone goal for an Avalanche team that struggled down the stretch and missed the playoffs for a second straight season.

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