Peter Laviolette isn’t the most talkative of coaches. His mouth might as well be welded shut during the playoffs, when divulging information probably is as appealing to him as a root canal without Novocaine.
But when Laviolette does offer insight, it’s thought-provoking.
A relevant example would be his belief that “desperation trumps momentum.” It was clear Saturday which mindset the Predators and Avalanche each approached Nashville's 5-4 Game 2 victory with.
The Avalanche are the youngest and least experienced team in the Stanley Cup playoffs, but they're not naive. They knew a loss Saturday would significantly reduce their chances of upsetting the Predators in this series.
But when the Predators play to their capability, they have the downhill momentum of, well, an avalanche.
It didn't start that way, though. A disorganized sequence in the defensive zone led to the Avalanche scoring on their first shot for the second time in as many games, with former Predators forward Gabriel Bourque contributing the game-opening goal.
The Predators, however, overwhelmed the Avalanche with three consecutive goals in the second period. On a one-man rush, Viktor Arvidsson rocketed a slap shot past Avalanche goaltender Jonathan Bernier, who surrendered a breakaway backhand to Ryan Johansen four minutes later.
Of concern is the Predators' continued inability to refrain from penalties. The least disciplined team in the NHL this season allowed the Avalanche to stay within reach Saturday by handing them five power-play opportunities.
Reach Adam Vingan at avingan@tennessean.com and on Twitter @AdamVingan.