Avalanche, Predators set for Game 1 Thursday in Nashville

Nathan MacKinnon, right, and the Avalanche are coming off a 5-2 victory over the Blues on Saturday in which they clinched the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. (Matthew Stockman / Getty Images)

Avalanche vs. Predators

Western Conference

First round

Best of seven

(* if necessary)

Game 1: Thursday, 7:30 p.m. at Nashville

Game 2: Saturday, 1 p.m. at Nashville

Game 3: April 16, 8 p.m. at Colorado

Game 4: April 18, 8 p.m. at Colorado

*Game 5: April 20, TBD, at Nashville

*Game 6: April 22, TBD, at Colorado

*Game 7: April 24, TBD at Nashville

DENVER — The rest of the way is bonus hockey for the Avalanche and its fans. Colorado's 14th trip to the Stanley Cup playoffs isn't about winning the Western…