Josi Returns to Help Preds Top Avalanche

Four different Predators found the back of the net as Nashville defeated the Colorado Avalanche by a 4-1 final on Tuesday night at Bridgestone Arena. The win gives the Preds points in four-straight games, plus, seven consecutive victories against the Avalanche.
Viktor Arvidsson, Roman Josi, Colton Sissons and Austin Watson all tallied on the evening for Nashville, with Josi, Sissons and Watson collecting their first goals of the season. Filip Forsberg collected two assists on the night, the second of which was his 200th career point in just his 270th NHL game.
After a bit of a sluggish first period, the Preds got going to the level they've become accustomed to lately, with three goals in the second stanza. Watson capped the contest off in the third for Nashville's third home victory in three tries this season.

"We picked it up in the second and third," Nashville Head Coach Peter Laviolette said. "Puck battles, I thought were 50-50 and we could've done a little bit better of a job in the first period, but it wasn't a bad period. In the second, and third, I really thought we played a pretty good game. We got it up to speed, got going, the power play looked good tonight, they were moving the puck well; lots of positives."

Josi, who was returning to the lineup after a three-game absence with a lower-body ailment, made an immediate impact with two points in more than 22 minutes of ice time. After watching his team from above for the past week, seeing marked improvement each time out, Josi was able to see firsthand a team that continues to mesh in the early going.
"We had a good game, and we probably should have won that game [Saturday in Chicago], but tonight was another step," Josi said. "I think we started OK, and then we got better and better as the game went on. Especially in the third, we knew we had to get that next goal."

Arvi, Arvi, Arvi:
Viktor Arvidsson scored Nashville's first goal. He assisted on the second tally. He drew the penalty that led to the third marker.
It was a classic performance from No. 33 on Tuesday night, using his speed and skill to wreak havoc on the opposition, and ultimately, lead the Predators to their third win of the season.
"I was just trying to work hard, be out there and make things happen," Arvidsson said. "Today, I felt great."
Laviolette agreed that it wasn't just Arvidsson who made a difference in the win, but his linemates as well, Forsberg and Ryan Johansen.

"They were moving the puck well and Arvidsson I thought was going to the hard areas," Laviolette said. "You saw him get taken down a couple of times in front of the net, but he keeps going back there fighting for space and fighting for opportunities. I thought they looked good 5-on-5, and I thought they looked good on the power play as well. It was a good night for them."
"That's the great thing about him, he'll pass it to you, and you look up, and he's there and you can pass it back," Forsberg said of Arvidsson. "He's playing well."
Arvidsson also appears to be on the verge of trademarking a signature goal celebration, saluting the Bridgestone Arena crowd each time he's put the puck in the net as of late, but wasn't about to commit to anything, at least not yet.
"It just happens," Arvidsson laughed. "I don't know, I just try to have some fun when I score and it just comes."
It doesn't matter how he chooses to celebrate, the Preds simply hope there will be plenty more he's forced to make a decision.
"He's so fast and his energy level is really high," Josi said of Arvidsson. "He jumps on loose pucks and I think it is not just the things you see, defensive stuff. It's him forechecking and backchecking and pressuring their defense. It's really hard to play against him."

Notes:
Defenseman Alexei Emelin recorded his first two points as a member of the Predators, assisting on Viktor Arvidsson's and Austin Watson's goals.
Forward Frederick Gaudreau appeared in his first contest of the season after being recalled from Milwaukee earlier in the day, recording one shot on goal in 7:27 of ice time.
The Predators now head back out on the road with a visit to Philadelphia on Thursday night to face the Flyers (6 p.m. CT). They then finish up in the Big Apple on Saturday against the Rangers, an 11:30 a.m. CT start.