A quick start in October allowed the Avalanche to grab first place in the Northwest Division, where they have stayed despite some recent struggles.

A strong November, meanwhile, has the Predators making a run at first place in the Central standings. Nashville will try to extend that successful run with a seventh straight victory tonight in a clash with Colorado at Pepsi Center.

Nashville has won 10 of its last 12 games since beginning the season 3-6-1 to get within five points of Central-leading Chicago.

Goaltender Pekka Rinne has been a big part of the Predators turnaround. He has been in net for all six games of Nashville's current win streak, notching a 1.62 goals-against average in that span. He made 31 saves in Monday's 3-1 victory over Detroit that gave Nashville its first six-game win streak since February 21-March 5 of last season.

Martin Erat led the offense with a pair of goals, his first multi-tally game since October 18, 2008. Jason Arnott added a goal while Steve Sullivan extended his point streak to five games. He has three goals and three assists on the run, while David Legwand has totaled seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) over Nashville's win streak.

"It's always a tough time when we play Detroit," said Erat. "But we played our type of game [Monday] and were able to come out on top."

Nashville, which finished a five-game homestand perfect, hasn't won seven straight since a franchise-record eight-game winning streak to begin the 2005-06 season.

The Predators will try to extend their win streak over an Avalanche squad they beat, 3-2, at home back on October 8. Dan Ellis started that contest and made 22 saves, though Rinne will likely be in net tonight. He is 1-2-0 with a 3.00 GAA in his career versus the Avalanche, who have won two straight and five of the last seven in the series at home.

Colorado will try to build on Monday's 5-4 victory over Philadelphia in which they blew a 2-0 first-period lead and nearly squandered a three-goal advantage in the third frame.

The victory was just the Avalanche's fourth in November (4-5-1) after they went 10-2-2 in October.

David Jones scored twice on Monday and Paul Stastny added a goal and two assists. Cody McLeod and Scott Hannan also lit the lamp, though Hannan left the game with a neck injury. He is questionable for tonight along with Adam Foote, who has missed the last three games because of a jaw injury.

"It's nice to get some fortunate bounces and some pucks in the net," said Jones. "It was important for us to re-establish our momentum."

Craig Anderson made 30 saves and has a 3.58 GAA in eight November starts after posting a 2.04 GAA in October. He is 2-3-2 with a 2.73 GAA versus the Predators, making 30 saves against them in early October.

The Avalanche, who lead the Flames by two points in the Northwest standings, improved to 7-2-0 at home this year.