Sports

Nashville Predators (22-20-4, in the Central Division) vs. Colorado Avalanche (33-4-8, in the Central Division)

Denver; Friday, 9 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: The Nashville Predators visit the Colorado Avalanche after Roman Josi's two-goal game against the Edmonton Oilers in the Predators' 4-3 overtime win.

Colorado has gone 33-4-8 overall with an 8-0-4 record in Central Division games. The Avalanche have a 19-2-5 record in games their opponents commit more penalties.

Nashville has gone 22-20-4 overall with a 6-8-2 record against the Central Division. The Predators have gone 11-3-4 in games decided by a single goal.

The matchup Friday is the fourth time these teams play this season. The Avalanche won 4-2 in the previous matchup.

TOP PERFORMERS: Martin Necas has scored 21 goals with 35 assists for the Avalanche. Brock Nelson has eight goals and five assists over the last 10 games.

Ryan O'Reilly has 13 goals and 26 assists for the Predators. Steven Stamkos has scored five goals with four assists over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Avalanche: 7-2-1, averaging four goals, seven assists, 3.1 penalties and 6.8 penalty minutes while giving up 2.2 goals per game.

Predators: 6-4-0, averaging 2.5 goals, 4.3 assists, 3.8 penalties and 9.3 penalty minutes while giving up 2.8 goals per game.

INJURIES: Avalanche: None listed.

Predators: None listed.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Philadelphia Flyers (22-15-8, in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (21-14-10, in the Metropolitan Division)

Pittsburgh; Thursday, 7 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Penguins -154, Flyers +128; over/under is 6

BOTTOM LINE: The Pittsburgh Penguins aim to stop a three-game slide when they play the Philadelphia Flyers.

Pittsburgh is 21-14-10 overall and 8-1-3 against the Metropolitan Division. The Penguins have conceded 131 goals while scoring 140 for a +9 scoring differential.

Philadelphia is 5-1-4 against the Metropolitan Division and 22-15-8 overall. The Flyers serve 10.8 penalty minutes per game to rank fifth in NHL play.

Thursday's game is the third meeting between these teams this season. The Penguins won 5-1 in the last matchup. Sidney Crosby led the Penguins with two goals.

TOP PERFORMERS: Bryan Rust has 16 goals and 20 assists for the Penguins. Justin Brazeau has four goals and two assists over the last 10 games.

Trevor Zegras has 18 goals and 24 assists for the Flyers. Travis Konecny has scored four goals with four assists over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Penguins: 6-3-1, averaging 3.4 goals, 5.9 assists, 3.3 penalties and 7.7 penalty minutes while giving up 2.1 goals per game.

Flyers: 4-5-1, averaging 2.7 goals, 4.2 assists, 4.8 penalties and 14.1 penalty minutes while giving up 3.2 goals per game.

INJURIES: Penguins: None listed.

Flyers: None listed.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.