The learning curve for the NHL’s youngest team had a 13-day joyride, and the Stanley Cup playoff experience was undoubtedly a bonus in Year 1 of its rebuild.
The Avalanche’s surprisingly successful season ended Sunday afternoon at the Pepsi Center, where Nashville dominated Game 6, 5-0, to win the series 4-2 and advance to the Western Conference semifinals.
The Preds, who led 2-0 after the first period and 4-0 going into the third, will next face the Winnipeg Jets in another Central Division showdown.
Nothing went right for the Avs in Game 6, which was the only mismatch in the series.