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Avalanche doing its best to weather the storm in Smashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The atmosphere for Game 1 of the playoffs here Thursday night was electric — an environment most Avalanche players had never seen. The Nashville Predators played in the Stanley Cup Final a year ago and their fans were lathered to support the overall No. 1 seed.

Bridgestone Arena, aka Smashville, is within a pitching wedge of Lower Broadway, a renowned entertainment district for live country music. Game 1 began at 8:40 p.m. local time and many fans came directly from the nearby bars and restaurants.

“It was my first playoff game. I tried to enjoy it,” second-year Avs winger Mikko Rantanen said Friday.