(My Sportsbook) - Goaltending hadn't been Nashville's main concern over its recent losing stretch, but that changed last time out. The Predators will try to rebound tonight in a road test against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center.

Nashville has lost six of its last nine games, but had allowed more than three goals just once in that span, a 6-3 loss in St. Louis on December 8. However, the Predators were defeated by the Edmonton Oilers, 5-2, on Sunday.

Shea Weber and Martin Erat scored for Nashville, which was coming off a 3-2 win over Detroit on Friday. The Predators, though, haven't posted back-to-back wins since a three-game win streak from December 1-6.

Dan Ellis gave up four goals on 17 shots and was pulled for Pekka Rinne, who allowed a goal on 16 shots faced. Ellis hadn't allowed more than two goals in any of his previous five starts, though he was just 2-2-1 in that span.

It has been much of the same versus Colorado. He is 1-1-0 against them despite stopping 57-of-58 shots. He took a 1-0 loss against them this year on November 8.

Rinne, meanwhile, halted 19 shots to beat the Avs on December 4, his first- ever start against them. Rinne is 7-2-0 with a 2.27 goals against average, .920 save percentage and three shutouts in 12 games this season. Sunday's appearance was his first in relief this year.

Nashville has lost five straight on the road and is 7-11-2 as the visiting team this year. Following tonight's test the Predators begin 2009 with a five- game homestand.

Colorado has won three of its last four thanks to a 4-3 shootout win over Detroit on Saturday. Wojtek Wolski scored the only goal of the shootout, and Colorado goaltender Peter Budaj made 41 saves.

Ryan Smyth and John-Michael Liles each notched a goal and an assist while Ruslan Salei scored his first of the season for the Avalanche.

Colorado was playing for the first time since leading scorer Paul Stastny suffered a broken forearm after getting struck with a puck in Tuesday's win over Phoenix. Although no official timetable for his return has been revealed, Stastny, who has 31 points on the year, is expected to be sidelined until at least late January.

It is just the latest blow to Colorado's offense, which is already without Joe Sakic until March due to a back injury as well as three broken fingers suffered in a snow blower accident.

Colorado will try to wrap a three-game homestand perfect tonight and is 10-6-0 at the Pepsi Center this year.

These two teams have split their last 10 meetings, but the Predators have lost four of their last six in Colorado. Budaj is 5-3-0 with a 2.34 GAA lifetime against the Predators.