from Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post,

Denver is the hockey town that Nashville wants to be when it grows up.

Colorado has Nathan MacKinnon, and the Predators do not.

During the 20 years the Avs have made their home in the Rocky Mountains, they have twice won the Stanley Cup. The NHL opened shop in the Music City for the 1998-99 season, and what has Nashville got to show for it? More heartbreak than the lyrics of a George Jones song. Cry, baby, cry.

With a 5-3 victory Friday, the Avalanche caught the Predators for the final playoff spot, at least for the moment.

Hey, Nashville: Cry, baby, cry....

After lackluster starts by goalie Semyon Varlamov, center Matt Duchene and Roy earlier in the season, the biggest names on this hockey club have picked up their games. Colorado, however, needs more talent. The Avs still seem lacking at the blue line.

As the Predators demonstrated by bagging Johansen with a big deal, hunting season opened early in the NHL this year. The man who oversees the hockey operations of the Avalanche front office is Joe Sakic.

This is a Colorado team that has fought hard, winning the right to be taken seriously as a playoff contender.

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